Alle origini di Pompei. Gli dei, il fiume, la città

Referring to the latest archaeological and geological data about Pompeii and its territory, this article presents some suggestions about the locational reasons and some characteristics of the town planning of the city during the archaic age. The vocation for trade of Pompeii is largerly proved by its history and by the interest that the city generated in foreign populations like Greeks and Etruscans. The commercial importance of the city is also strictly connected to its topographical characteristics and geographical position, which were deeply exploited by its inhabitants, and is clearly mirrored by the position and function of some of the most important pompeian buildings. The article analyses the latest hypotheses about the hydrographic situation of the pompeian territory, considering the presence and function of the sanctuaries and temples of the city in connection to it and, subsequently, to the town planning; the pivotal importance of the area called «Altstadt» is therefore further stressed and re-discussed in the light of the outlined considerations.