Introduction
This essay will examine the Roman city of Pompeii, preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, to assess how effectively it reveals the everyday life and attitudes of its inhabitants. Located in southern Italy, Pompeii offers a unique snapshot of Roman life frozen in time. By analysing the city's physical remains, from houses and shops to public buildings and artefacts, we can gain insights into various aspects of daily life for Pompeii's diverse population. However, this understanding is not without its limitations, particularly regarding the nuances of social attitudes and the experiences of certain social groups.

Body Paragraph 1: Work and Commerce in Pompeii
The physical layout and structures of Pompeii provide a vivid understanding of work and commerce within the city. Pompeii's forum, a bustling marketplace surrounded by shops and businesses, exemplifies this. The remnants of bakeries with millstones and ovens, alongside shops with counters displaying preserved goods, illustrate the daily routines of bakers, shopkeepers, and customers. Furthermore, the discovery of tools and workshops, such as those used by blacksmiths and weavers, illuminates the skilled trades practiced within the city. These physical remnants offer tangible evidence of the economic activities that shaped Pompeii, revealing the work that consumed a significant portion of its inhabitants' lives.

Body Paragraph 2: Social Hierarchy in Pompeii
The stark contrast in the size and decoration of houses in Pompeii reveals the social hierarchy that existed within Roman society. The lavishly decorated walls and spacious interiors of the House of the Faun, believed to have belonged to a wealthy family, stand in stark contrast to the more modest dwellings found in other areas of the city. The presence of intricate mosaics and frescoes in wealthier homes, depicting scenes of leisure and mythology, further emphasizes the disparity in lifestyles. This physical evidence illustrates how wealth dictated access to comfort, leisure, and social standing within Pompeii.

Body Paragraph 3: Limitations of Pompeii's Evidence
While Pompeii offers invaluable insights into Roman life, it is crucial to acknowledge the limitations of relying solely on its physical remains. Understanding the attitudes and beliefs of Pompeii's residents is challenging. While murals and graffiti provide glimpses into their thoughts, these are often fragmented and open to interpretation. Moreover, the experiences of marginalized groups, such as slaves and the very poor, are less well-represented archaeologically. Their voices and perspectives are largely absent from the physical record, limiting our understanding of the full spectrum of life in Pompeii. To address this, historians must rely on complementary sources like Roman literature and legal texts to gain a broader understanding of societal attitudes and the experiences of marginalized groups.

Conclusion
In conclusion, Pompeii's remarkably preserved remains offer invaluable insights into the everyday lives of its inhabitants, particularly regarding work, commerce, and social structures. The physical evidence vividly illustrates the activities that filled their days, the social dynamics that shaped their interactions, and the disparities in wealth and living conditions. However, it is essential to recognize the limitations of relying solely on physical evidence, particularly in understanding the complexities of social attitudes and the experiences of less visible social groups. By combining archaeological evidence with other sources, we can strive for a more nuanced and complete understanding of life in Pompeii and the wider Roman world.