The Story of Pompeii

The Ancient Story of Pompeii: A Lost Roman City

Pompeii was laid low by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, but its story endures to this day. Here’s the Avventure Bellissime guide to that tale…

Is Pompeii a Real Story?

Yes, Pompeii is a real ancient Roman city, not a fictional story! Archaeological evidence, including preserved buildings, artifacts, and human remains, confirms the historical accounts of its destruction by Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The ruins were discovered in 1748 and have since become one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, providing unparalleled insights into daily Roman life.

The Story of Pompeii Before the Disaster: Life in a Thriving Roman City

Before Vesuvius erupted, Pompeii was a thriving Roman city. Likely founded in the 7th century BC by the Oscans, over the next 7 centuries Pompeii was ruled by the Greeks, and then the Romans from 80 AD onwards.

Just 17 years before Vesuvius erupted, an earthquake struck Pompeii. The damage was so prevalent that much of the city’s population of 20,000 was evacuated. Luckily, most hadn’t returned by the time Vesuvius erupted.

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Mount Vesuvius: The True Story of Pompeii's Destruction

In 79 AD, Vesuvius erupted, sending molten ash, pumice, and sulphuric ashes towards the city of Pompeii. This created a firestorm of molten debris, which engulfed not just Pompeii, but also the surrounding towns of Herculaneum and Stabiae.

The ruins situated in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius

Due to the nature of the eruption, Pompeii wasn’t destroyed, but buried under a layer of lapilli - burning fragments of pumice stone. This meant that much of the city was preserved, resulting in an archaeological attraction like no other. Tourists can explore remarkably well-maintained Roman streets, and they can wander in and out of millennia-old houses, shops, temples, cafes, and even a brothel.

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Pompeii's Real History: A City Frozen in Time

After the catastrophic eruption of Vesuvius, Pompeii was mostly forgotten about until it was rediscovered in 1594. Domenico Fontana, an architect digging a canal, stumbled across the ruins of the city, however, proper exploration of the site didn’t start until 1748. Since then, much of Pompeii has been excavated and the site, for the most part, is now open to tourists.

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Extensive sections of the Pompeii ruins are open to tourists