Pompeii: The Last DaySets out a brief history of the cities of Pompeii and nearby Herculaneum, which also perished in the volcanic explosion on Aguust 24 AD79. The book describes everyday life ina Roman provaince, then follows the last twenty-four hours of the inhabitants. One of history's greatest stories, the destruction of the city of Pompeii was a natural disaster on an epic scale that has fascinated a succession of cultures around the world for centuries. The twin cities lay undisturbed under metres of volcanic debris for more than 1500 years, during which time all memory of them faded. The seal of wet ashes preserved public structures temples, theatres, baths, shops and private dwellings. The remains of some of the victims, including gladiators, soldiers, slaves and their masters, and entire families, were found in the ruins. Archaeological excavations only began in 1748 and hve been continued since then. A massive area has now been excavated, however, even today more than a quarter of Pompeii still awaits excavation. |
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aediles Alexander mosaic altar amphitheatre apse Archaeological archaeologists architectural atrium AUGUST AD 79 Augustus basilica bathers bronze building built Campania centimetres centre columns Corinthian courtyard damaged decorated dell'Abbondanza dining room door earthquake Emperor entrance eruption Eumachia excavated exedra Faun feet floor Fortuna Augusta Forum Baths fountain fourth style front garden gladiators Greek Hercules hot room House imperial cult inscription insulae lararium Maiuri Marcus Marine Gate metres Misenum mosaic Mount Vesuvius niches Nuceria odeion opus Oscan painted peristyle Pliny Pliny the Elder Pliny the Younger Pompeii and Herculaneum Pompeiian pool portico portrayed probably pumice rebuilt Roman roof Samnite Sarno second century BC shrine slaves Stabian Baths statues stone street stucco surge tablinum Temple of Apollo Temple of Fortuna Temple of Isis Temple of Jupiter Temple of Vespasian tomb town Triangular Forum triclinium Venus Vespasian Vesuvius Vettii Vicolo Villa volcanic wall whilst white marble