In the years leading up to the eruption, Pompeii was rocked by earthquakes, one of which, in ad 62, even impressed writers at Rome (C1—2). Two relief panels from Pompeii depict an earthquake, possibly, but not necessarily, that of AD 62 (C3). Otherwise, it is possible to see signs of earthquake damage and of structural repairs all around the site today, but these are the consequence not only of the famous tremor of ad 62 (C4). In one case — the Temple of Isis — an inscription records restoration work after extensive damage in an earthquake (C5).
Comments about Vesuvius by writers of the Augustan era reveal that at least some people were aware of the character of the dormant volcano before it erupted in ad 79 (C6—8). The Younger Pliny’s two letters describing the eruption have long been famous, but only recently have modern studies analysing the letters in the light of scientific data shown that they provide a surprisingly accurate picture of the eruption (C9, C12). Although these are the best known and most useful sources, other authors also provide accounts of the eruption, both brief and elaborate (C11, C13—15).
The eruption had a devastating impact upon the economy, society and geography of the Bay of Naples, destroying towns, villages, villas and farms as far as Stabiae and Herculaneum, and changing the landscape (including the coastline and course of the River Sarno) (C24-C25), but we hear surprisingly little of its human victims (C16). It was one of several natural disasters to occur during the brief reign of the emperor Titus (ad 79—81), whose attempt to help the stricken area was diverted almost immediately by the outbreak of a serious fire at Rome (C17—18). Several contemporary authors recorded their reactions to the region’s fate, notably the poet Statius, whose home town was Naples (C20—23). Other contemporary poets were inspired to allude to the eruption in vivid metaphors or similes (C26—27). Finally, the apocalyptic nature of the eruption provoked discussion of the role of the gods among Jewish, Greek and Christian writers alike (C28—30).
World History
