Sets out a brief history of the cities of Pompeii and nearby Herculaneum, which also perished in the volcanic explosion on Aguust 24 AD79. The book describes everyday life ina Roman provaince, then follows the last twenty-four hours of the inhabitants. One of history's greatest stories, the destruction of the city of Pompeii was a natural disaster on an epic scale that has fascinated a succession of cultures around the world for centuries. The twin cities lay undisturbed under metres of volcanic debris for more than 1500 years, during which time all memory of them faded. The seal of wet ashes preserved public structures temples, theatres, baths, shops and private dwellings. The remains of some of the victims, including gladiators, soldiers, slaves and their masters, and entire families, were found in the ruins. Archaeological excavations only began in 1748 and hve been continued since then. A massive area has now been excavated, however, even today more than a quarter of Pompeii still awaits excavation.