There is so much legend surrounding Vesuvius that, of course, the myths would all get tangled up with every aspect of local culture, food and wine. Being only a mere 9km away from Naples, I often wonder, does the ongoing threat of eruption here cause the people of this area to live life to the fullest? I have never seen such vibrant and life-loving people as I witnessed on our trip to Naples; the streets of Naples absolutely vibrate with energy!
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| Fresco Of Mount Vesuvius Found In Pompeii |
In many Roman villas dug up around Pompeii, pictures of Mount Vesuvius were found in frescoes on the household shrine with the Latin words: IOVI VESVVIO, which means Jupiter Vesuvius. Romans worshipped Vesuvius like their God Jupiter, yet the Greeks who settled this area before the Romans made Hercules their patron of this region. Vesuvius's origin actually comes from Greek roots for "unquenchable" and "hurling violence." That about sums up Mount V! Vesuvius is also linked to the Roman Goddess Vesta, who is the keeper of the hearth and sister to Jupiter.
Speaking of those Roman Gods, Bacchus comes into play here in Vesuvius-land. The fertile volcanic slopes of Mount Vesuvius were perfect for growing grapes.
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| Having A Little Drink With Bacchus |
The Greeks brought grapevines with them when they settled the area in the second millennium BCE. The most famous wine of Mount Vesuvius is "Lacryma Christi" or "Tears of Christ." The wine traditionally comes in white and red, but you can now get it in a Rosé and even a sparkling version! It has a Controlled Designation of Origin or DOC since the 1980s (The DOC is actually Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio) and is a blend of several different grape varieties grown around the towns Boscoreales and Torre del Greco. The origin tale of this wine goes back to Roman and Greek times with Bacchus, the god of wine and general partying.
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| Lacryma Christi Red & White |
Bacchus loved the region of Mount Vesuvius, according to the Roman poet Martial, who lived during the time of the 79 C.E. eruption:
"This is Vesbius (Vesuvius), green yesterday with viny shades; here had the noble grape loaded the dripping vats; these ridges Bacchus loved more than the hills of Nysa (the mythical place where he was raised); on this mount of late the Satyrs set afoot their dances; this was the haunt of Venus, more pleasant to her than Lacedaemon; this spot was made glorious by the fame of Hercules (Herculaneum). All lies drowned in fire and melancholy ash; even the High Gods could have wished this had not been permitted them."
Martial, Epigrams (IV.44)\
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| Wine Jugs Excavated In Pompeii |
Now, I know what you are thinking. Where does Christ come into all of this? After all, the wine is called Lacryma CHRISTI. After Christianity became legal in the Roman world and Paganism became illegal, the story about the wine had to change with the times to survive. In other words, clever marketing strategies! The new legend went something like this: When Lucifer was expelled from Heaven, he stole some pieces of Paradise as he fell to Earth. When Lucifer hit the Earth and descended into Hell, Mount Vesuvius was formed, and the stolen parts of Paradise that hit Earth became the Bay of Naples. Jesus, who saw all of this happen from Heaven, wept, and wherever a tear landed, a grapevine sprung from the Earth. In either story, Diety sprung supernatural tears, and we get to have some fantastic wine!
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| Lacryma Christi on the top of Mount Vesuvius |
So just remember the next time you enjoy a glass of wine from Campagnia's Vesuvius region, you are actually doing crucial historical research!🍷
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