Pompeii: Lost and Found

Pompeii, the most famous archaeological site in the world, attracts more than two million visitors each year. However, this ancient Roman city has a captivating and occasionally violent history that spans from the sixth century BCE to the present day, making it one of the most puzzling sites.

Destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, the ruins of Pompeii provide the best evidence we have of life in the Roman Empire. Yet, the eruption is only one part of the story. In "The Fires of Vesuvius," acclaimed historian Mary Beard delves into the remains, exploring the nature of the town and what it can reveal about the "ordinary" lives of its inhabitants.

Beard's examination covers a wide range of topics, from sex and politics to food and religion, slavery and literacy. She offers a comprehensive picture while also bringing the past to life, allowing readers to smell the bad breath and see the intestinal tapeworms of the lost city's inhabitants. The author resuscitates the Temple of Isis as a testament to ancient multiculturalism and takes us to the Suburban Baths, where we witness the transition from communal bathing to hygiene and erotica.

Pompeii has been a source of both pleasure and loss in recent times, from Pink Floyd's memorable rock concert to Primo Levi's elegy on the victims. However, the city still holds many secrets that are not easily uncovered. Beard's book demonstrates that there is much more and less to Pompeii than the frozen-in-time city that went about its business on that fateful day of August 24, 79 CE.

The ruins of Pompeii offer a unique window into the past, providing invaluable insights into the lives of the Roman people. Through Beard's meticulous research and engaging storytelling, readers are transported to this ancient world, where the everyday and the extraordinary intertwine to create a captivating and complex narrative.

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