Pompeii was devastated in 79 AD when Mount Vesuvius’ catastrophic eruption destroyed it, leaving behind fascinating evidence of everyday life at that time.
Pompeii remains mysteriously empty today – no tourists in sight to disturb its solitude – making it easier for you to imagine its former residents’ vibrant lives, right down to their graffitied walls which contained everything from personal messages to public announcements.
What happened
On August 24, 79 AD in Pompeii, there was an afternoon market with fish vendors and meat stalls jostling for position before an enormous deafening boom echoed through the ground, toppling stalls and scattering people as the thunder from Mount Vesuvius rumbled close by.
An eruption occurs quickly and fatally; volcanic ash, toxic smoke and deadly pumice rain down upon Pompeii from above. A westerly wind protects Herculaneum located to the west of the crater from harm; however it cannot protect Pompeii.
Whoever was fortunate enough to survive the initial blast made their way back home or to the countryside as quickly as they could. Within hours however, the town was inundated by a torrent of rock debris and gases, including hot pyroclastic surges known as nuees ardentes which burned everything in their path while asphyxiating anyone not killed by falling debris.
Pompeii was discovered in the 18th century and stunned archaeologists, as it appeared frozen in time: houses, shops, bathhouses and even an arena had all been preserved under metres of ash – with this incredible feat even more astounding because this same layer had preserved so many buildings as well as everyday items like food and pottery from Pompeii!
As you explore Pompeii’s ruins, it’s easy to imagine life here during Roman times. Pompeii was an opulent port city housing around 12,000 residents with shops, a forum, bathhouses and an arena as well as houses owned by wealthy Roman citizens.
Pompeii was also an intellectual hub, with numerous schools and a library. Influenced by Rome since the Samnite Wars of 310 BCE, Campania became part of Pompeii after which Latin began replacing Oscan in public discourse.
Pompeii was still an independent community with its own identity and customs when Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD; that event marked not the only one, however; Vesuvius would go on to erupt numerous times over its lifespan with devastating results; its most memorable story being its tragic eruption in 79 AD.
Why Pompeii was so popular
Pompeii is one of the world’s best-known archaeological sites and for good reason: each year millions of tourists flock there to view this Roman town preserved in volcanic ash from Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 AD; preserved forever and captivating visitors ever since.
Pompeii was an economically prosperous city-state that thrived through trade both domestically and externally. Situated as a port on the Bay of Naples, its location made it a crucial stopover between Italy’s mainland and Greek islands for goods coming in through Italy’s mainland ports and those coming through from Greek islands; residents exported olive oil, wine, wool and fish sauce (garum), while importing wheat, exotic fruit sandalwood and wild animals for display at its arenas.
Pompeiians enjoyed an extravagant lifestyle characterized by public baths, amphitheater gladiatorial performances or chariot races and two theater productions in their free time; two theaters provided plays while an extensive library housed sculptures, paintings and mosaics for entertainment purposes.
Pompeii was not immune from Roman life’s upheavals despite its prosperous and luxurious status; during the Second Punic War (218-201 BC), Pompeii stood firm with Rome during Hannibal’s army’s assault of Naples Bay cities; this helped Pompeii survive both war ravages and an eruption.
As for the eruption of 79 AD, Pliny the Younger detailed it extensively in letters addressed to historian Tacitus, including how toxic clouds covered everything with an acidic gas cloud that made people cover their heads to protect themselves but eventually led to their burial alive. He recorded their screams and prayers.
Pompeii became increasingly well-known when included on the Grand Tour, an itinerary undertaken by European society’s elite in the 17th and 18th centuries. But it wasn’t until modern times that excavations started, revealing its long and colorful history.
Pompeii may be one of Italy’s top attractions, yet it should always be kept in mind that it was also once an area plagued with death and destruction. Over 2,000 people died when Vesuvius erupted; their bodies preserved by volcanic ash can still be seen today as body casts line the streets.
What to expect
Pompeii can be an amazing experience, yet can also be somewhat overwhelming during peak tourist season (June to August). To maximize your visit and avoid crowds and allow more leisurely exploration of its ruins, try arriving as early as possible – ideally before opening time or shortly thereafter. Doing this will allow for an easier exploration.
Pompeii can be explored independently; however, most visitors opt for guided tours instead. You can book these online through trusted third-party resellers such as GetYourGuide and Tiqets; skip-the-line tickets may also be an economical solution during busy seasons.
Pompeii can best be explored on foot, giving you time to take in its remarkable ruins in comfort and enjoy them at your own pace. Wear comfortable shoes with good grip and bring plenty of water. As there are very few food and drink shops within Pompeii itself, bring a packed lunch and snacks as much as possible.
Pompeii was almost completely devastated by the initial eruption and subsequent pyroclastic flows; however, some structures remain. Notable among these is its iconic brothel which still displays its pictorial menu of services for visitors to view. Pompeii also features intriguing granaries and public baths that offer fascinating attractions for exploration.
Pompeii offers much to explore, so allow for two to three hours to fully appreciate this site. When traveling on designated paths, remember not to touch or remove artifacts as this can damage them further and lead to the loss of important historical knowledge about Pompeii.
Your journey through Pompeii’s residents can be enhanced through its vast collection of mummy casts. These casts represent individuals who perished during the catastrophic eruption, left as a reminder of what it must have been like to live there over two millennia ago. These powerful images give an incredible insight into life 2,000 years ago in Pompeii.
Getting there
Reaching Pompeii is relatively straightforward: rent a car, take a shuttle bus ride, feel like an elite VIP in a taxi ride or join other history lovers on an organized guided tour.
No matter which option you select, make sure that you arrive early, particularly on weekends, to secure a parking space and allow yourself enough time to see everything on your itinerary. Parking fees at Pompeii can range between EUR3 per hour and they fill quickly during busy days.
While driving to Pompeii may be tempting, unless you’re familiar with Italy’s narrow and winding roads it may not be an advisable option. Bus tickets can be easily purchased on TicketOne with multiple options to meet every preference available to them.
Be sure to purchase a one-way ticket prior to boarding any mode of public transit – whether bus or taxi – to avoid potential hassle from drivers demanding round-trip fares at the end of your journey.
Pompeii is an enormous place, and walking from site to site can be exhausting. Make sure you bring along a free map of its ruins; this will help navigate crowded streets and locate great photo opps. Also make sure you bring water bottle and sunscreen.
Pompeii dates back to the 8th century BCE and quickly emerged as an important city with an amphitheater, public baths, temples and major trade routes that served the region. Pompeii quickly established itself as an influential regional cultural hub.
Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, leaving over 2,000 dead and Pompeii covered by over 20 feet of volcanic ash. The resultant destruction is both heartbreaking and captivating.
Pompeii provides visitors with more insight into its inhabitants’ lives beyond its preserved bodies and buildings thanks to frescoes, street signs, pots and their contents. While its aftermath was devastating, its effect has left streets, houses and objects extraordinarily well preserved for thousands of years due to falling ashfall.