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Why
Pompeii is special
The ancient Roman city of Pompeii lay hidden and forgotten under
the volcanic waste for over 1500 years before archaeological
excavations slowly began revealing the lost city.
Doomsday
On the ill-fated day of August 24, 79 AD, Mt. Vesuvius erupted
so cataclysmically that the huge volcano literally blew its top
(see capless Mt. Vesuvius in photo's background).
The explosions sent a billowing column of volcanic steam,
cinders and ash high into the sky. Soon the heavy aerial debris
showered on and buried the once thriving Roman city of Pompeii.
Most of the 20,000 citizens escaped with their lives. However,
about 2,000 lingered too long in gathering their valuables and
died on the spot, likely by toxic volcanic fumes. Pompeii
quickly changed from metropolis to necropolis.
A survivor’s vivid account
The Roman scholar Pliny the Elder witnessed the disaster and
wrote: "The thick black cloud advanced behind us like a flood.
We could hear woman shrieking, children crying and men shouting.
Many people begged for the help of the gods, but even more
imagined that there were no gods left and that the last eternal
night had fallen on the world."
Pompeii today
Most of Pompeii's streets and buildings (including temples,
theatres, shops, homes and public baths) have been uncovered. So
have wall murals and floor mosaics depicting everyday life.
Tourists and anthropologists now have a sharper idea of what
daily Roman life was like.
What leading travel books say about Pompeii
Pompeii is known throughout the world for its tragic destruction
and miraculous discovery.
Italy
Heritage Guides
Pompeii is a magic time-capsule left to us by the good graces of
Mount Vesuvius.
Italy
Cadogan Guidebooks
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