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During the February 27, 2021 episode of NPR’s All Things Considered, Eric Poehler, associate professor in the classics department at UMass Amherst, discussed an ornate, ceremonial chariot, newly unearthed at the excavation site of the ancient Roman city, Pompeii. It is the first chariot of its kind to be discovered. Poehler, who is an expert in the traffic systems and vehicles of Pompeii, says he was “astounded” by the discovery.

Comparing ancient chariots to modern-day vehicles, Poehler says, “Many of the vehicles I'd written about before ... are your standard station wagon or vehicle for taking the kids to soccer.” Of the new discovery he says, “This is a Lamborghini. This is an outright fancy, fancy car.”

The full story is available for listening on the NPR website.

Eric E. Poehler is associate professor of classics, co-director of the Pompeii Artistic Landscape Project, and assistant director of the Tharros Archaeological Research Project. He has published widely on Roman urbanism, infrastructure, and architectural history. His book The Traffic Systems of Pompeii (Oxford University Press, 2017) examines the development of road infrastructure in Pompeii and its implications for urbanism in the Roman empire.