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How did Pompeii become more Roman after the Social War?
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Pompeii
Mount Vesuvius rising up over the ruins of the ancient Roman city Pompeii.
Following the Social War, Pompeii underwent a significant transformation to become more Roman. After the city joined the Italian revolt against Rome and was subsequently besieged by the Roman general Lucius Cornelius Sulla in 89 BCE, it was formally incorporated into the Roman state and its inhabitants received Roman citizenship.1
As a direct consequence of its participation in the conflict, Pompeii was punished through the establishment of a colony of Roman veterans, which was organized under the leadership of Publius Sulla, the general's nephew. This administrative change catalyzed the Romanization of the city in several key ways:1
- Language: Latin officially replaced Oscan as the primary language of the city.1
- Culture and Institutions: The city’s social, political, and institutional structures were reorganized to align with Roman standards.1
- Architecture: The urban landscape began to reflect Roman influence, as the city adopted Roman styles in its public and private buildings, moving away from its earlier Samnite and Hellenistic traditions.12