A city forever frozen in time, Pompeii’s history is a melancholy paradox. The very event that gruesomely took Pompeii — Mt. Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 AD — preserved the daily comings and goings of the ancient city, allowing us to piece together its story. Excavations through history have given us touching images of an unavoidable tragedy, and reactions of the Roman people right up to their last moments; lovers in an embrace, hurried escapes, bread still in the oven.
For a city that lived so long ago, teeming with people that feel so distant from us, you might be surprised at how much we have in common with them. If you're ready see Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius, check out Context experiences in Naples.
1. Pompeii Was a Wealthy Town of Grand Houses and Fine Frescoes
An excavation at Regio V uncovered Vicolo dei Balconi, an area of Pompeii that boasted impressive houses (some with balconies included). Archeologists also found coins, thoroughbred horses with bronze and iron accessories, and well-preserved frescoes and murals of mythological characters. Many of these artworks, like the renowned Sapphos painting, are located in the Archeological Museum of Naples.
Of course, a city full of lavishness can’t be without its vices. Brothels and gambling artifacts were also procured at excavation sites.
2. August 24th May Not be Pompeii's Actual Eruption Date
Before recent findings, August 24th 79 AD was thought to be the exact date Pompeii’s eruption occurred. Not so! The widely held belief has been disproved by curious finds that allude to a more autumnal setting. Market stalls that held common fall foods like chestnuts, unripe pomegranates, and harvested wine, as well as other findings like warmer clothing on the Roman people, heaters, and inscriptions all date the event closer to October or November.
3. The Romans Didn't Know Vesuvius Was a Volcano
The eruption at Mt. Vesuvius that decimated Pompeii on that fateful day certainly wasn’t its first, nor would it be its last (more on that later). Farmers that tilled the fertile earth may have sensed the foreshadowing of the city’s imminent demise as the black soil was indicative of earlier eruptions from the volcano.
4. Pompeii Was Multilingual: Latin, Oscan and Greek
A skeletal analysis at a burial site in Pompeii found a 60ish-year-old man who was thought to have spoken Greek in theatre performances. This could be evidence of a more cosmopolitan landscape in the ancient city with different ethnicities congregating together.
Did you know that Greece had its own version of Pompeii’s eruption from the Santorini Volcano? Learn more here.
5. The People of Pompeii Had Fantastic Teeth
True to the politicians that some of them were, the people of Pompeii had stunning smiles. Their secret? A fiber-rich, low-sugar diet that prevented cavities and kept those gums healthy. Also found at the Vicolo dei Balconi were amphorae, vessels made out of terra-cotta that were used to contain wine, oil, and garum (fermented fish intestines). Save yourself a trip to the dentist and learn from the Pompeians.
6. Pompeians Ate Out at Street-Food Bars Called Thermopolia
Known for their affinity for wine, cheese, and olive oil, Romans and their fine dining may not be as surprising of a fact, but it is uncanny to feel a certain kinship with their eating habits.
According to our expert on Pompeii’s history, Fiorella Squillante, it was common for people to eat out for their midday meal at what were called thermopolia, or snack bars. A thermopolium is a counter that opened out onto the street with big jars containing food and drinks. One of them has been recently available to the public! See them yourself on a half day tour of Pompeii or at your own pace with our Pompeii Audio Guide.
7. There Was No Lava: How Pompeii's Victims Really Died
By now, you know about the city covered in the volcanic ashes of a deadly eruption at Pompeii, preserving (almost too well) the narrative of a city. But what are the details of that narrative? We’ll outline one gruesome story below.
One set of skeletal remains of a man indicate that he was beheaded while escaping the molten heat. Originally, researchers believed that this man was hit by a flying rock. Upon further inspection, they deduced from a limp in his leg that he actually may have stayed home, dying instead by lethal gases. The flying rock could have been a doorjamb propelled by a strong volcanic cloud.
8. Herculaneum Was Buried Too, and Discovered First
Herculaneum was also a vibrant city at the foot of Mt. Vesuvius. With rich villas and luxurious baths, the city of about 5,000 inhabitants was a summertime destination by Romans. It was actually discovered before Pompeii in 1709 (Pompeii was discovered in 1748). Learn more about Herculaneum and Mt. Vesuvius on our full day archaeology tour in Naples.
9. The Only Eyewitness Account Comes from Pliny the Younger
Before recent excavations, what we knew of Pompeii (although he never mentioned it outright) came from letters from Pliny the Younger, a 17-year-old boy who lived along the Bay of Naples at the time of the eruption. The letters were addressed to a historian named Tacitus and they detailed the horrific events that occurred. Pliny the Younger wrote about locals defending themselves by covering their heads, the awful toxic cloud, wails and prayers, and other events that occurred.
10. Pliny the Elder Died Leading a Rescue Across the Bay
A commander of the Roman fleet, the heroic officer used his boats to see what was going on at Mt. Vesuvius and to mitigate the ensuing panic, but he unfortunately died from toxic gases.
11. Vesuvius Is Still Active, and Last Erupted in 1944
Far from dormant, the deadly volcano poses a threat to nearby civilization to this day. The last eruption was in 1944. Even though it was a particularly stressful time for chaos (being four years into World War II), residents of the nearby San Sebastiano village and Allied soldiers acted quickly to evacuate. While there were no military deaths, 26 Italian civilians were killed and almost 12,000 people were displaced.
12. The deadliest Eruption Since 79 AD Came in 1631
The last major eruption of Mt. Vesuvius wasn’t nearly as fatal as the one during Pompeii’s time, however, it took nearly 3,000 to 6,000 lives and triggered multiple earthquakes as well as a tsunami.
Traveling Soon? How to Visit Pompeii
Pompeii is about 25km south of Naples. The easiest way there is the Circumvesuviana train from Napoli Garibaldi station (Naples–Sorrento line) to the Pompei Scavi–Villa dei Misteri stop, which takes around 35–40 minutes and stops right by the main entrance. From Rome, take a high-speed train to Naples, about 70 minutes, and change there, which makes Pompeii a long but very doable day trip.
Since November 2024, entry has been capped at 20,000 visitors a day. Tickets are timed and carry the visitor's name, so book ahead, especially in spring and summer, and bring ID that matches your booking.
Allow at least three to four hours. The site covers about 66 hectares, and a full day barely scratches the surface. There's little shade, so in summer go early, wear good shoes and carry water; there are drinking fountains around the site. If you have time, pair Pompeii with Herculaneum, which is smaller and better preserved in places.
To make sense of what you're seeing, join one of our half-day Pompeii tours with an archaeologist, make a day of it with our Pompeii full-day excursion from Naples, or explore at your own pace with the Pompeii audio guide.
Get a comprehensive view of Naples and beyond with on a Context experience and get to know the city on a walking tour, audio guide, or pre-trip lecture.
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