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Cities Destroyed by Mount Vesuvius: A Tragedy Preserved in Time
Introduction:
The name Mount Vesuvius conjures images of fiery destruction and unimaginable loss. This iconic Italian volcano, looming over the Bay of Naples, is infamous for its catastrophic eruption in 79 AD, an event that wiped entire Roman cities from the map and left behind a chilling testament to nature's power. But the story isn't solely about Pompeii. While Pompeii is the most famous victim, Vesuvius’ wrath extended far beyond its borders, leaving behind a legacy of destruction and remarkably preserved history. This in-depth exploration delves into the cities devastated by Mount Vesuvius, uncovering the stories of those who lived and died, and the incredible archaeological discoveries that have illuminated their lives and tragic ends. We'll examine not only Pompeii and Herculaneum, the most well-known victims, but also less-discussed settlements, revealing a broader picture of the eruption’s devastating impact.
I. Pompeii: The Most Famous Victim
Pompeii, a bustling Roman city of around 20,000 inhabitants, is synonymous with the Vesuvius eruption. Its remarkably preserved state, frozen in time by the volcanic ash, offers an unparalleled glimpse into Roman daily life.
Daily Life: Archaeological evidence reveals a sophisticated urban center with intricate plumbing, vibrant frescoes adorning homes, and bustling marketplaces. We find evidence of a diverse population, ranging from wealthy landowners to enslaved individuals, their lives etched into the very fabric of the city. The discovery of intact houses, shops, and public buildings allows historians to reconstruct a vivid picture of Roman society, revealing its intricacies and complexities.
The Eruption's Impact: The eruption wasn't instantaneous. Initial pyroclastic flows and ashfall gradually engulfed Pompeii, causing many residents to flee, while others likely perished inside their homes, or while trying to escape. The sheer volume of volcanic material that buried Pompeii explains its remarkable preservation – it was not destroyed by fire, but rather suffocated and encased.
Archaeological Discoveries: The ongoing excavations of Pompeii continue to yield extraordinary discoveries, from perfectly preserved skeletons to intricate mosaics and everyday objects. These finds provide invaluable insights into the lives of Pompeii's citizens, their customs, and their final moments. The meticulous work of archaeologists helps to paint a picture of a vibrant, complex society abruptly silenced by a cataclysmic event.
II. Herculaneum: A Different Fate
Herculaneum, a smaller, wealthier Roman town, located closer to the volcano than Pompeii, suffered a different, yet equally devastating fate.
A Different Kind of Destruction: While Pompeii was buried under ash and pumice, Herculaneum was inundated with pyroclastic flows, superheated currents of gas and volcanic debris that moved at incredible speed. This resulted in a different kind of preservation, with many wooden structures and organic materials carbonized rather than being buried under ash.
The Wealthy Residents: Herculaneum’s residents were predominantly wealthy Romans, as evidenced by the luxurious villas and sophisticated infrastructure found within the town. The higher density of larger houses indicates a population with greater economic means compared to Pompeii. This fact is further underscored by the artifacts discovered during excavations.
The Boat Houses: A significant discovery in Herculaneum is the boat houses, structures built along the shoreline that likely offered refuge during the early stages of the eruption. The discovery of human remains inside some of these boats suggests the unfortunate fate of individuals who sought shelter there but were overcome by the subsequent pyroclastic surges. These skeletal remains provide poignant evidence of the desperate attempts at survival.
III. Other Affected Settlements: Beyond Pompeii and Herculaneum
The Vesuvius eruption impacted many other settlements besides Pompeii and Herculaneum, although to a lesser extent. These included:
Oplontis: A smaller town located near Pompeii, Oplontis also experienced significant destruction. Excavations here have unearthed opulent villas, revealing a lifestyle similar to that found in Herculaneum.
Stabiae: Located further away from the volcano than Pompeii and Herculaneum, Stabiae suffered less severe damage. However, the town was still significantly impacted by ashfall and pyroclastic flows. Evidence suggests some residents were able to escape, while others perished.
Other smaller villages: Numerous smaller villages and farms in the surrounding area were also impacted by the eruption, although the archaeological evidence of their destruction may be less extensive and visible. These settlements contribute to a more complete understanding of the volcano's wide-ranging impact.
IV. The Legacy of Vesuvius: A Warning and a Window into the Past
The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD serves as a stark reminder of the power of nature and the vulnerability of human civilization. The tragedy, however, also provides a unique window into the past, offering unparalleled insights into Roman society, architecture, and daily life. The preservation of these cities, in their destruction, makes them invaluable sources of historical information. The continued study and preservation of these sites are crucial for understanding the past and for preparing for future natural disasters. The lessons learned from Pompeii and Herculaneum remain relevant today, underscoring the importance of disaster preparedness and the fragility of human life in the face of powerful natural forces.
Article Outline:
Title: Cities Destroyed by Mount Vesuvius: A Tragedy Preserved in Time
I. Introduction: Hooking the reader and providing an overview of the article's content.
II. Pompeii: The Most Famous Victim: Discussing daily life, the eruption’s impact, and archaeological discoveries.
III. Herculaneum: A Different Fate: Highlighting the type of destruction, the wealthy residents, and the discovery of boat houses.
IV. Other Affected Settlements: Beyond Pompeii and Herculaneum: Exploring the impact on Oplontis, Stabiae, and other smaller villages.
V. The Legacy of Vesuvius: A Warning and a Window into the Past: Discussing the importance of the sites for understanding history and disaster preparedness.
VI. Conclusion: Summarizing the key points and leaving the reader with a lasting impression.
FAQs:
1. What caused the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD? The eruption was caused by a buildup of pressure from magma beneath the volcano.
2. How many people died in the eruption? The exact number of deaths is unknown, but estimates range from thousands to tens of thousands.
3. How were the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum preserved? Pompeii was buried under ash and pumice, while Herculaneum was covered by pyroclastic flows.
4. What are some of the most significant archaeological discoveries at Pompeii and Herculaneum? Intact buildings, frescoes, mosaics, and human remains.
5. What can we learn from the eruption of Vesuvius? We can learn about Roman society, the power of nature, and the importance of disaster preparedness.
6. Is Mount Vesuvius still an active volcano? Yes, it is considered an active volcano and poses a significant threat.
7. Are Pompeii and Herculaneum still being excavated? Yes, ongoing excavations continue to reveal new information about the cities.
8. Can tourists visit Pompeii and Herculaneum? Yes, both sites are open to the public and attract millions of visitors annually.
9. What is the current level of volcanic activity at Mount Vesuvius? The volcano is constantly monitored by scientists, and its activity is assessed regularly.
Related Articles:
1. The Daily Life of Pompeiians: An exploration of the social structures and routines of the inhabitants of Pompeii.
2. The Architecture of Pompeii and Herculaneum: A detailed look at the architectural styles and building techniques of the two cities.
3. The Art and Frescoes of Pompeii: A showcase of the artistic achievements and cultural significance of Pompeian art.
4. The Eruption of Vesuvius: A Geological Perspective: A scientific explanation of the volcanic processes that led to the eruption.
5. The Victims of Vesuvius: Personal Stories from the Ashes: A look at individual stories uncovered through archaeological finds.
6. Modern-Day Risks of Mount Vesuvius: An examination of the current volcanic hazards and preparedness measures.
7. The Role of Technology in Pompeii's Excavation: How modern technology assists in uncovering and preserving the site.
8. Comparing and Contrasting Pompeii and Herculaneum: Highlighting the differences in destruction and preservation between the two cities.
9. Preservation Efforts at Pompeii and Herculaneum: A review of the ongoing work to protect these significant archaeological sites.
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: Buried by Vesuvius Kenneth Lapatin, 2019-07-16 The first truly comprehensive look at all aspects of the Villa dei Papiri at Herculaneum, from its original Roman context to the most recent archaeological investigations. The Villa dei Papiri at Herculaneum, the model for the Getty Villa in Malibu, is one of the world’s earliest systematically investigated archaeological sites. Buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, the Villa dei Papiri was discovered in 1750 and excavated under the auspices of the Neapolitan court. Never fully unearthed, the site yielded spectacular colored marble floors and mosaics, frescoed walls, the largest known ancient collection of bronze and marble statuary, intricately carved ivories, and antiquity’s only surviving library, with over a thousand charred papyrus scrolls. For more than two and a half centuries, the Villa dei Papiri and its contents have served as a wellspring of knowledge for archaeological science, art history, classics, papyrology, and philosophy. Buried by Vesuvius: The Villa dei Papiri at Herculaneum offers a sweeping yet in-depth view of all aspects of the site. Presenting the latest research, the essays in this authoritative and richly illustrated volume reveal the story of the Villa dei Papiri's ancient inhabitants and modern explorers, providing readers with a multidimensional understanding of this fascinating site. |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: Pompeii Fergus Mason, 2013-11-01 Pompeii was one of most advanced cities of its time; it had a complex water system, gymnasium, and an amphitheater. Despite it's advancements, there was one thing it wasn't ready for: Mount Vesuvius—the volcano that led to its ultimate doom. The 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius was one of the worst disasters in all of European history. In a near instant, over 15,000 people were dead and a city was completely destroyed. This book looks at the rise, fall, and rediscovery of the great city of Pompeii. |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: Rediscovering Pompeii , 1993 |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: Vesuvius The Younger Pliny, 2008-02-07 This new edition of the two letters in which Pliny the Younger gives his eye-witness account of the most fabulous natural disaster ever fabled by mankind-the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in Italy and the destruction of whole communities and cities, including Pompeii features the original Latin facing an exceptionally faithful translation in contemporary English and enhanced by superbly evocative and witty drawings of the events as they are described. The reader of Vesuvius will come away from these pages with a lively sense of what really happened in those harrowing days and hours during the eruption of the famous volcano. The book includes an introduction and endnotes by the translator. |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: The Last Days of Pompeii Victoria C. Gardner Coates, Kenneth D. S. Lapatin, Jon L. Seydl, Cleveland Museum of Art, Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, 2012 Destroyed yet paradoxically preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79, Pompeii and other nearby sites are usually considered places where we can most directly experience the daily lives of ancient Romans. Rather than present these sites as windows to the past, however, the authors of The Last Days of Pompeii: Decadence, Apocalypse, Resurrection explore Pompeii as a modern obsession, in which the Vesuvian sites function as mirrors of the present. Through cultural appropriation and projection, outstanding visual and literary artists of the last three centuries have made the ancient catastrophe their own, expressing contemporary concerns in diverse media--from paintings, prints, and sculpture, to theatrical performances, photography, and film. This lavishly illustrated volume--featuring the works of artists such as Piranesi, Fragonard, Kaufmann, Ingres, Chass�riau, and Alma-Tadema, as well as Duchamp, Dal�, Rothko, Rauschenberg, and Warhol--surveys the legacy of Pompeii in the modern imagination under the three overarching rubrics of decadence, apocalypse, and resurrection. Decadence investigates the perception of Pompeii as a site of impending and well-deserved doom due to the excesses of the ancient Romans, such as paganism, licentiousness, greed, gluttony, and violence. The catastrophic demise of the Vesuvian sites has become inexorably linked with the understanding of antiquity, turning Pompeii into a fundamental allegory for Apocalypse, to which all subsequent disasters (natural or man-made) are related, from the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 to Hiroshima, Nagasaki, 9/11, and Hurricane Katrina. Resurrection examines how Pompeii and the Vesuvian cities have been reincarnated in modern guise through both scientific archaeology and fantasy, as each successive cultural reality superimposed its values and ideas on the distant past. An exhibition of the same name will be on view at the Getty Villa from September 12, 2012, through January 7, 2013; at the Cleveland Museum of Art from February 24 through May 19, 2013; and at the Mus�e national des beaux-arts du Qu�bec from June 13 through November 8, 2013. |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: The Shadow of Vesuvius: A Life of Pliny Daisy Dunn, 2019-12-10 “A wonderfully rich, witty, insightful, and wide-ranging portrait of the two Plinys and their world.”—Sarah Bakewell, author of How to Live When Pliny the Elder perished at Stabiae during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, he left behind an enormous compendium of knowledge, his thirty-seven-volume Natural History, and a teenaged nephew who revered him as a father. Grieving his loss, Pliny the Younger inherited the Elder’s notebooks—filled with pearls of wisdom—and his legacy. At its heart, The Shadow of Vesuvius is a literary biography of the younger man, who would grow up to become a lawyer, senator, poet, collector of villas, and chronicler of the Roman Empire from the dire days of terror under Emperor Domitian to the gentler times of Emperor Trajan. A biography that will appeal to lovers of Mary Beard books, it is also a moving narrative about the profound influence of a father figure on his adopted son. Interweaving the younger Pliny’s Letters with extracts from the Elder’s Natural History, Daisy Dunn paints a vivid, compellingly readable portrait of two of antiquity’s greatest minds. |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: The Fires of Vesuvius Mary Beard, 2010-04-30 Pompeii is the most famous archaeological site in the world, visited by more than two million people each year. Here, acclaimed historian Beard explores what kind of town it was, and what it can reveal about ordinary life there. |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: Pompeii Robert Harris, 2010-09-14 PRE-ORDER PRECIPICE, THE THRILLING NEW NOVEL FROM ROBERT HARRIS, NOW - PUBLISHING AUGUST 2024 'A pulse-rate-speeding masterpiece' Sunday Times 'A stunning novel . . . the subtlety and power of its construction holds our attention to the end' The Times During a sweltering week in late August, as Rome's richest citizens relax in their villas around Pompeii and Herculaneum, there are ominous warnings that something is going wrong. Wells and springs are failing, a man has disappeared, and now the greatest aqueduct in the world - the mighty Aqua Augusta - has suddenly ceased to flow . . . Through the eyes of four characters - a young engineer, an adolescent girl, a corrupt millionaire and an elderly scientist - Robert Harris brilliantly recreates a luxurious world on the brink of destruction. 'As explosive as Etna, as addictive as a thriller, as satisfying as great history' Daily Telegraph |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: Paul and Jesus James D. Tabor, 2012-11-13 In this “compulsively readable exploration of the tangled world of Christian origins” (Publishers Weekly), religious historian James Tabor illuminates the earliest years of Jesus’ teachings before Paul shaped them into the religion we know today. This fascinating examination of the earliest years of Christianity reveals how the man we call St. Paul shaped Christianity as we know it today. Historians know almost nothing about the two decades following the crucifixion of Jesus, when his followers regrouped and began to spread his message. During this time Paul joined the movement and began to preach to the gentiles. Using the oldest Christian documents that we have—the letters of Paul—as well as other early Christian sources, historian and scholar James Tabor reconstructs the origins of Christianity. Tabor shows how Paul separated himself from Peter and James to introduce his own version of Christianity, which would continue to develop independently of the message that Jesus, James, and Peter preached. Paul and Jesus illuminates the fascinating period of history when Christianity was born out of Judaism. |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: From Pompeii Ingrid D. Rowland, 2014-03-24 When Vesuvius erupted in 79 CE, the force of the explosion blew the top right off the mountain, burying nearby Pompeii in a shower of volcanic ash. Ironically, the calamity that proved so lethal for Pompeii's inhabitants preserved the city for centuries, leaving behind a snapshot of Roman daily life that has captured the imagination of generations. The experience of Pompeii always reflects a particular time and sensibility, says Ingrid Rowland. From Pompeii: The Afterlife of a Roman Town explores the fascinating variety of these different experiences, as described by the artists, writers, actors, and others who have toured the excavated site. The city's houses, temples, gardens--and traces of Vesuvius's human victims--have elicited responses ranging from awe to embarrassment, with shifting cultural tastes playing an important role. The erotic frescoes that appalled eighteenth-century viewers inspired Renoir to change the way he painted. For Freud, visiting Pompeii was as therapeutic as a session of psychoanalysis. Crown Prince Hirohito, arriving in the Bay of Naples by battleship, found Pompeii interesting, but Vesuvius, to his eyes, was just an ugly version of Mount Fuji. Rowland treats readers to the distinctive, often quirky responses of visitors ranging from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Charles Dickens, and Mark Twain to Roberto Rossellini and Ingrid Bergman. Interwoven throughout a narrative lush with detail and insight is the thread of Rowland's own impressions of Pompeii, where she has returned many times since first visiting in 1962. |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: The Jews in Pompeii, Herculaneum, Stabiae and in the Cities of Campania Felix Carlo Giordano, Isidoro Kahn, Laurentino García y García, 2001 |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: Bombing Pompeii Nigel Pollard, 2020-11-18 Bombing Pompeii examines the circumstances under which over 160 Allied bombs hit the archaeological site of Pompeii in August and September 1943, and the wider significance of this event in the history of efforts to protect cultural heritage in conflict zones, a broader issue that is still of great importance. From detailed examinations of contemporary archival document, Nigel Pollard shows that the bomb damage to ancient Pompeii was accidental, and the bombs were aimed at road and rail routes close to the site in an urgent attempt to slow down the reinforcement and supply of German counter- attacks that threatened to defeat the Allied landings in the Gulf of Salerno. The book sets this event, along with other instances of damage and risk to cultural heritage in Italy in the Second World War, in the context of the development of the Allied Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives – the “Monuments Men.” |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: Crossing Back Marianna De Marco Torgovnick, 2021-09-14 From the award-winning author of Crossing Ocean Parkway, a personal memoir about adjusting to loss through books, meditation, and the process of memory itself Marianna De Marco Torgovnick experienced the rupture of two of her life’s most intimate relations when her mother and brother died in close proximity. Mourning rocked her life, but it also led to the solace and insight offered by classic books and the practice of meditation. Her resulting journey into the past imagines a viable future and raises questions acute for Italian Americans but pertinent to everyone, about the nature of memory and the meanings of home at a time, like ours, marked by cultural disruption and wartime. Crossing Back: Books, Family, and Memory without Pain presents a personal perspective on death, mourning, loss, and renewal. A sequel to her award-winning and much-anthologized Crossing Ocean Parkway, Crossing Back is about close familial ties and personal loss, written after the death of her remaining birth family, who had always been there, and now were not. After their loss, she entered a spiritual and psychological state of “transcendental homelessness”: the feeling of being truly at home nowhere, of being spiritually adrift. In a grand act of symbolic reenactment, she found herself moving apartments repeatedly, not realizing she did so subconsciously to keep busy, to stave off grief. By reading and studying great books, she opened up to mourning, a process she constitutionally resisted as somehow shameful. Over time, she discovered that a third death colored and prolonged her feelings of grief: her first child’s death in infancy, which, in the course of a happier lifetime, had never been adequately acknowledged. Her new losses led her finally to take stock of her son’s death too. Reading and meditating, followed by writing, became daily her healing rituals. A warm and intimate user’s guide to books, family, and memory in the mourning process, the end-point being memory without pain, Crossing Back is a wide-ranging memoir about growing older and learning to ride the waves of change. Lively and conversational, Torgovnick is masterful at tracking the moment-to moment, day-to-day challenges of sudden or protracted grief and the ways in which the mind and the body seem to search for—and sometimes find—solutions. |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: Watching Vesuvius Sean Cocco, 2013 This work explores the question of Vesuvius as an object of study in the early modern science of volcanism from the investigations and opinions of humanists and naturalists in the late Renaissance to the early 18th-century philosophizing on volcanoes and the development of geology later in the century. |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: I Survived the Destruction of Pompeii, AD 79 (I Survived #10) Lauren Tarshis, 2014-08-26 The beast beneath the mountain is restless... No one in the bustling city of Pompeii worries when the ground trembles beneath their feet. The beast under the mountain Vesuvius, high above the city, wakes up angry sometimes -- and always goes back to sleep.But Marcus is afraid. He knows something is terribly wrong -- and his father, who trusts science more than mythical beasts, agrees. When Vesuvius explodes into a cloud of fiery ash and rocks fall from the sky like rain, will they have time to escape -- and survive the epic destruction of Pompeii? |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: Pompeii Mary Beard, 2010-07-09 WINNER OF THE WOLFSON HISTORY PRIZE 2008 'The world's most controversial classicist debunks our movie-style myths about the Roman town with meticulous scholarship and propulsive energy' Laura Silverman, Daily Mail The ruins of Pompeii, buried by an explosion of Vesuvius in 79 CE, offer the best evidence we have of everyday life in the Roman empire. This remarkable book rises to the challenge of making sense of those remains, as well as exploding many myths: the very date of the eruption, probably a few months later than usually thought; or the hygiene of the baths which must have been hotbeds of germs; or the legendary number of brothels, most likely only one; or the massive death count, maybe less than ten per cent of the population. An extraordinary and involving portrait of an ancient town, its life and its continuing re-discovery, by Britain's favourite classicist. |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: A Day in Pompeii Museum Victoria Staff, 2009 The eruption - Lost, preserved, recovered - Businesses - The town - Medicine - Food & dining - Private residences - Luxury & beauty - Relgious beliefs - Burial practices - Body casts - Vesuvius through the ages. |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: Following My Thumb Gabriel Morris, 2012-06-29 Following My Thumb follows the wandering, rambling, bumbling travels of Gabriel Morris from 1990-2000. In the summer of 1990, at the age of 18, he sets off to Europe with his over-sized backpack, thumb guiding the way. He hitchhikes the entire length of Great Britain, sleeps in barns, on bridges and beaches and under benches, explores the Greek Isles, sneaks into a Parisian movie theater, spends a night at the center of the Place de la Concorde roundabout, and more. In Part 2 of the book, he spends the bulk of the mid-1990s as a wandering traveler back home in the United States, searching for something elusive: a place to call home, a community, love, adventure, meaning, purpose. He both finds and loses all to varying degrees as he attends tribal Rainbow Gatherings in the woods, falls in and out of love on the road, lives on farms and communes, and spends several months in an idyllic valley, far from civilization in the Hawaiian rainforest. The book culminates with his amazing and thought-provoking travels in the mystical land of India. , |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: The Letters of The Younger Pliny the younger Pliny, 2024-06-17 The Letters of Pliny the Younger, also known as the Epistles of Pliny the Younger, have been studied for centuries, as they offer a unique and intimate glimpse into the daily life of Romans in the 1st century AD. Through his letters, the Roman writer and lawyer Pliny the Younger (whose full name was Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus) discusses philosophical and moral issues; but he also talks about everyday matters and topics related to his administrative duties. One of these letters, Letter 16 from Book VI, addressed to Tacitus, holds unparalleled historical value. In it, Pliny describes the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, which destroyed the city of Pompeii. Many scholars claim that with his letters, Pliny invented a new literary genre: the letter written not only to establish pleasant communication with peers but also to publish it later. Pliny compiled copies of every letter he wrote throughout his life and published those he considered the best in twelve books. This edition presents selected letters chosen for their various characteristics and covering several books, focusing mainly on Books I, II, and III. The work is part of the famous collection: 501 Books You Must Read. |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: Dangerous Neighbors: Volcanoes and Cities Grant Heiken, 2013-10-10 What are the real risks posed by a volcanic eruption near a city – what is fact and what is myth? How have volcanic eruptions affected cities in the past, and how can we learn from these events? Why do communities continue to develop in such locations, despite the obvious threat? In this fascinating book, Grant Heiken explores global examples of cities at risk from volcanoes, from Italy, the US, Mexico, Ecuador, The Philippines, Japan and New Zealand, providing historical and contemporary eruption case studies to illustrate volcanic hazards, and cities' efforts to respond to them, both good and poor. He shows that truly successful volcanic hazard mitigation cannot be accomplished without collaboration between experts in geology and natural hazards, public health, medicine, city and infrastructure planning, and civil protection. This is a topical and engaging read for anyone interested in the history and future activity of these dangerous neighbors. |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: A Description of the First Discoveries of the Ancient City of Heraclea Niccolò Marcello Venuti, 1750 |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: The Dictionary of Chronology, Or Historical and Statistical Register William Henry Overall, 1870 |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: Pompeii and Herculaneum Alison E. Cooley, M. G. L. Cooley, 2013-10-01 The original edition of Pompeii: A Sourcebook was a crucial resource for students of the site. Now updated to include material from Herculaneum, the neighbouring town also buried in the eruption of Vesuvius, Pompeii and Herculaneum: A Sourcebook allows readers to form a richer and more diverse picture of urban life on the Bay of Naples. Focusing upon inscriptions and ancient texts, it translates and sets into context a representative sample of the huge range of source material uncovered in these towns. From the labels on wine jars to scribbled insults, and from advertisements for gladiatorial contests to love poetry, the individual chapters explore the early history of Pompeii and Herculaneum, their destruction, leisure pursuits, politics, commerce, religion, the family and society. Information about Pompeii and Herculaneum from authors based in Rome is included, but the great majority of sources come from the cities themselves, written by their ordinary inhabitants – men and women, citizens and slaves. Encorporating the latest research and finds from the two cities and enhanced with more photographs, maps, and plans, Pompeii and Herculaneum: A Sourcebook offers an invaluable resource for anyone studying or visiting the sites. |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: Resurrecting Pompeii Estelle Lazer, 2009-09-10 Recognizing the important contribution of the human skeletal evidence to the archaeology of Pompeii, Lazer presents an in-depth study of the people of pompeii, and gives students an essential resource in the study of this fascinating historical event. |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: Krakatoa Simon Winchester, 2004-06-03 'Bracingly apocalyptic stuff: atmospheric, chock-full of information and with a constantly escalating sense of pace and tension' Sunday Telegraph Simon Winchester's brilliant chronicle of the destruction of the Indonesian island of Krakatoa in 1883 charts the birth of our modern world. He tells the story of the unrecognized genius who beat Darwin to the discovery of evolution; of Samuel Morse, his code and how rubber allowed the world to talk; of Alfred Wegener, the crack-pot German explorer and father of geology. In breathtaking detail he describes how one island and its inhabitants were blasted out of existence and how colonial society was turned upside-down in a cataclysm whose echoes are still felt to this day. |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: A description of the first discouveries of the ancient city of Herculaneum Marcello de' Venuti, 1750 |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: Mount Vesuvius James Logan Lobley, 1868 |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: The Etymological Compendium, Or Portfolio of Origins and Inventions ... Sea, Islends, Cities, Towns ... Containing a Particular Account of London and Its Public Buildings ... by William Pulleyn William Pulleyn, 1828 |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: Outlines of Universal History from the Creation of the World to the Present Time Georg Weber, 1853 |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: The Mediterranean Sea From Alexander To The Rise Of Rome Mark Luttenberger, 2022-05-25 This book is designed to describe the environmental, political, socioeconomic, and military life of the inhabitants that surrounded the Mediterranean Sea from the fourth through the second centuries BC. This story relates the complex dynamic interrelationships among the people and states of the Mediterranean basin. The book explores the greater Mediterranean world that stretched from India to Spain. It begins with a review of some of the geographical, environmental, and structural characteristics of the Mediterranean basin. The balance of the book then proceeds to trace the political, military, and economic development of this region. We review the rise of Macedon under Philip II through the conquests of Alexander the Great. In the eastern basin, the development and conflicts of the Hellenistic kingdoms of the Ptolemaic, Seleucid, and Antigonid dynasties are then traced. We then turn the page and discuss the rise of Carthage and Rome as republics in the western basin. Next, the conflict between these two powers is analyzed which leaves Rome supreme in the west. The next chapters narrate the struggle between Rome and the Hellenistic kingdoms for dominance in the east. The book concludes with Roman supremacy established throughout the Mediterranean by the end of the second century. From the apex conqueror of antiquity Alexander the Great, we conclude with the establishment of the apex empire that was Rome. |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: The Friend , 1842 |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: Women's Travel Writings in Italy, Part II vol 9 Jennie Batchelor, Donatella Badin, Julia Banister, Betty Hagglund, 2024-10-28 Chawton House Library: Women's Travel Writings are multi-volume editions with full texts reproduced in facsimile with new scholarly apparatus. The texts have been carefully selected to illustrate various themes in women's history. |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: The Popular lecturer [afterw.] Pitman's Popular lecturer (and reader), ed. by H. Pitman Henry Pitman, |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: The Manual of Dates: a Dictionary of Reference to All the Most Important Events in the History of Mankind to be Found in Authentic Records George Henry Townsend, 1862 |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: The Christian Witness, and Church Member's Magazine , 1863 |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: The Manual of Dates George Henry Townsend, 1862 |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: Encyclopedia of Disaster Relief K. Bradley Penuel, Matt Statler, 2010-12-29 This encyclopedia covers response to disasters around the world, from governments to NGOs, from charities to politics, from refugees to health, and from economics to international relations, covering issues in both historical and contemporary context. The volumes include information relevant to students of sociology, national security, economics, health sciences, political science, emergency preparedness, history, agriculture, and many other subjects. The goal is to help readers appreciate the importance of the effects, responsibilities, and ethics of disaster relief, and to initiate educational discussion brought forth by the specific cultural, scientific, and topical articles contained within the work. Including 425 signed entries in a two-volume set presented in A-to-Z format, and drawing contributors from varied academic disciplines, this encyclopedia also features a preface by Thomas H. Kean and Lee H. Hamilton of the 9/11 Commission. This reference resource examines disaster response and relief in a manner that is authoritative yet accessible, jargon-free, and balanced to help readers better understand issues from varied perspectives. Key Themes - Geography - Government and International Agencies - History - Human-induced Disasters - Infrastructure - Local Response - Major Disasters (Relief Case Studies) - Medicine and Psychology - Methods and Practices - Mitigation - Natural Disasters (Overviews) - Politics and Funding - Preparedness - Recovery - Response - Science and Prediction - Sociology - U.S. Geographical Response |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: Back to Life DK, 2022-04-12 Imagine if you could travel back in time and walk the streets of the past. Where would you go first? Incredible History turns back time to reveal realistic reconstructions of the most incredible locations and exciting moments in history. You’ll feel the roar of the crowd in the Roman Colosseum, walk the ramparts of the Great Wall of China, and ride the first railways. Each story begins with an archaeological site or artifact. You’ll learn when and how it was discovered, and what it teaches us about how the people who lived at the site might have spent their days. Then, you’ll see the location recreated in jaw-dropping 3D detail. Using archaeological evidence, the people and places of the past will be brought back to life before your very eyes. With each page packed with fantastic facts and extraordinary pictures, Incredible History brings together the best parts of history and archaeology to recreate the entire history of the world. |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: Pocket Guide to Italian Cities United States. Army Service Forces. Information and Education Division, 1944 A handbook for U.S. military personnel stationed in Italy during World War II. |
cities destroyed by mount vesuvius: Walking the Streets of Eighteenth-Century London Clare Brant, Susan E. Whyman, 2009-01-15 Walking the Streets of Eighteenth-Century London will entertain and inform all who are interested in literature, history, and the city of London. This unique book invites the reader to walk along the dirty, crowded, and fascinating streets of eighteenth-century London in an unusual way. Nine leading experts from the fields of literature, history, classics, gender, biography, geography, and costume, offer different interpretations of John Gay's poem Trivia: or, the Art of Walking the Streets of London (1716). The poem - a lively, funny, and thought-provoking statement about urban life - accompanies the essays, in a new edition with comprehensive notes. The introduction paints a vibrant picture of London in 1716, depicting Gay's fascinating life and literary world, offering an invaluable guide to the poem. Together, these elements allow the heat, grime, and smells of the underbelly of eighteenth-century London come alive in new ways. |