Pompeii PBL Prompt

The following is the second PBL prompt:

Global worming is affecting the quality of life in ways that were not anticipated by the world scientists. It has affected the atmosphere. The world has a dark cloud blotting out the light just as the eruptions of Mount Vesuvius blocked the light and rained terror down on the citizens of Pompeii. People around the globe are becoming fearful and are acting in extremely hostile ways toward their neighbors. Nations under tremendous stress are becoming more and more belligerent to each other, both to friends and foes.

This morning BBC, CNN, and almost every newspaper in the Western hemisphere reported on a Greco-Roman cult announcing that the Statue of Apollo has been transformed into flesh and blood and is strolling the ruins of Pompeii. With a sarcastic tone yet a sense of mystery many reporters have announced the return of Apollo, the Sun God and God of healing:

“Apollo is leading the Gods reclaiming the town of Pompeii… they are seeking the reconstruction of Pompeii, curing all its ills and bringing back their City of Light.” Countless citizens have flocked to the ruins of Pompeii. They attest hearing Delphic Oracles of Apollo, around Mount Vesuvius calling out "know thyself", "nothing too much", "avoid hubris”, and so on while referring to the end of the Hellenic period of religion.

In Rome, the oldest copy of “De Architectura” has disappeared from the museum. Meanwhile, around the world a number of widely respected, signature architects have been talking to their friends and colleagues about a bizarre dream they had the night before. Every one of them had dreamed of conferring among many, around a white round table with Vitruvius himself.

In the US, religious leaders from all sects are condemning the newspapers’ countless articles glorifying the “pagan” Gods and Goddesses, and their various interpretations claiming “the end of world religion.”

Curiosity was booming, newspaper headlines across the world were asking:

>> “What will Apollo, as the Sun God and God of Healing, change to bring back the light and atmosphere?”

>> “How will the past and present, and the old and new be reconciled in Pompeii?"

>> “How will the reconstruction of Pompeii serve to influence the rest of the world?”