Early traces of Pompeii date back to the 8th century BC - but the city truly began to flourish in the 6th century BC.
Pompeii was then situated at the intersection of two major powers : the Greeks and the Etruscans.
The Etruscans expanded south from Tuscany, while the Greeks moved north, establishing cities throughout southern Italy.
Early Pompeii was Etruscan.
However, in the 5th century, the Greeks defeated the Etruscans.
This led to Pompeii's transition from Etruscan to Greek influence.
This temple stands out as a testimony to this Greek period in Pompeii's history.
There are also traces of Pompeii's Etruscans past - particularly in the form of distinctive black pottery known as bucceri.
The Greek temple was dedicated to Apollo - the son of Zeus.
Apollo was the god of light, music, dance, poetry, and youth.
He was regarded as the most beautiful and "Greek" of all the gods.
The temple's style was Doric - the simplest of the three Greek architectural orders.
It is characterised by short, sturdy columns without a base.
Other famous examples of Doric architecture include the Parthenon in Athens and the Valley of the Temples in Sicily.
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