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Every Roman city centred civic, commercial, political and religious life around the Forum, generally a long rectangular area.

The large 2nd-century BC theatre was built in accordance with the Greek system, using the slope of the land for the cavea (seating area).

This grand house includes an atrium, peristyle, and baths. It proved to be a treasure-trove of silver objects, now on display in Naples’ Museo Archeologico.

Far to the east stands Pompeii’s amphitheatre – a typically oval shape, though small by Roman standards. It was the first such built for gladiatorial combat.

On the western side of Via Stabiana are the Stabian Baths, the most ancient structure in Pompeii, dating back to the 4th century BC. The stuccoed vaults in the men’s changing room have preserved images of nymphs and cupids.

The lupanarium , one of the town’s brothels, has walls decorated with frescoes depicting erotic acts and giving some clue to the proclivities of the prostitutes behind the closed doors.

Named after the gold-leaf decorations of amorini (cupids) in the bedroom, this house was owned by the Poppaea family, that of Nero’s second wife. The gardens were adorned with sculptures, marble tables and a pool.

The 1-m (3-ft) bronze statue of the Dancing Faun, found here in the middle of the courtyard pond, accounts for the name of this house, which covered an entire insula (city block). Still here are opus sectile mosaic marble floors (coloured geometric patterns) as well as wall decorations of merit.

The owners of this house were wealthy merchants. Its interior walls are adorned with splendid paintings and friezes featuring mythological themes.

The Way of the Tombs lies outside the city gates for fear of the dead bringing bad luck. Beyond this is the 90-room House of the Mysteries, where you can peek in to see the marvellous wall paintings.