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Pompeii (Extinct city) Books
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August Mau
Pompeii, Its Life and Art
"Pompeii, Its Life and Art" by August Mau is a detailed historical account written in the late 19th century. The book explores the ancient city of Pompeii, focusing on its history, culture, architecture, and art, particularly in the context of its tragic destruction by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. The author showcases his extensive research and personal engagement with the archaeological site, offering insights into the rebuilding efforts of its citizens, the lives they led, and the remnants of their civilization. The opening of the work presents a comprehensive introduction to Pompeii's geographical context and historical significance. Mau vividly describes the city's strategic location near Vesuvius and its surrounding fertile landscape, which contributed to its prosperity. He sets the stage for a discussion of Pompeii's urban development prior to the devastating eruption, highlighting essential details about its inhabitants, their cultures, and the eventual transformations they underwent leading up to 79 A.D. Through a careful examination of evidence from the excavation of the city, the opening frames an essential understanding of Pompeii's vibrant life before its destruction, preparing readers for a deeper exploration of the archaeological findings that follow.
Jennie Hall
Buried Cities: Pompeii, Olympia, Mycenae (Complete)
"Buried Cities: Pompeii, Olympia, Mycenae (Complete)" by Jennie Hall is a historical account written during the early 20th century. The book delves into the fascinating stories of ancient cities that were preserved under layers of ash and earth, notably focusing on Pompeii, Olympia, and Mycenae. It brings to life the cultures, events, and daily lives of the people from these cities, painting a vivid picture of their history and the circumstances that led to their burial. The opening of the book captures the reader's attention with a foreword that invites young readers to engage their curiosity about history, similar to the thrill of finding buried treasures. Hall introduces a character named Ariston, a Greek slave and artist who finds himself in a Roman household in Pompeii. As he works on a mural, he is caught off guard when the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius begins, leading to chaos as the once lively city is engulfed in destruction. This opening sets a gripping tone, highlighting not only Ariston’s artistic aspirations and longing for freedom but also the imminent tragedy that will affect all of Pompeii's inhabitants.
Jennie Hall
Buried Cities, Volume 1: Pompeii
"Buried Cities, Volume 1: Pompeii" by Jennie Hall is a historical account written in the early 20th century. This book delves into the fascinating ruins of the ancient city of Pompeii, which was famously preserved under volcanic ash following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Through vibrant narratives and illustrations, Hall explores the daily lives of the inhabitants, the catastrophic eruption, and the subsequent rediscovery of the city that provides insight into Roman life. The narrative unfolds primarily through the experiences of Ariston, a Greek slave and skilled painter, who faces the harrowing eruption of Vesuvius. As he strives to care for his young master Caius amidst the chaos, vivid descriptions detail the city’s destruction and the frantic attempts of its citizens to escape. The story paints a poignant picture of love, bravery, and survival amidst disaster, while also capturing the rich cultural and social life of Pompeii prior to its burial—its art, commerce, and societal structures. The book also includes historical insights about the city and its eventual rediscovery, inviting readers to contemplate the endurance of human stories across time.
Pier Ambrogio Curti
Pompei e le sue rovine, Vol. 2 (of 3)
"Pompei e le sue rovine, Vol. 2" by Pier Ambrogio Curti is a historical account written in the late 19th century. This volume continues to explore the ruins of Pompeii, delving into the cultural and social aspects of the ancient city, particularly focusing on its theaters. The narrative likely emphasizes the significance of theatrical performances in Pompeii’s public life, including details about the structure and function of the comedic theater, known as the Odeum. The opening of this volume discusses the essential role of theaters in Roman public life, particularly in Pompeii, which boasted two theaters and an amphitheater. Curti describes the dimensions and layout of the Odeum, detailing its capacity and the seating arrangements for different social classes, reflecting the societal hierarchy of the time. He emphasizes the intertwining of entertainment and religion in ancient Rome, illustrating how theatrical performances served not only as public spectacles but also had deeper communal and spiritual significance.
Marc Monnier
The Wonders of Pompeii
"The Wonders of Pompeii" by Marc Monnier is a historical account written in the late 19th century. This work provides an engaging exploration of the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, focusing on its vibrant life before the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The book combines detailed descriptions of the city’s history, architecture, and the excavation efforts that brought its ruins to light. The opening portion of the book sets the stage for a fascinating journey through Pompeii, discussing both its past and the excavation process that revealed the city after centuries of burial. Monnier outlines the city’s historical significance, its structure, and the various activities of its inhabitants, highlighting the vibrant life that once thrived there. He also gives insight into the excavation efforts, introducing figures like Signor Fiorelli, who played a crucial role in recovering the city’s treasures. The author emphasizes the interplay between the devastation caused by the eruption and the preservation of history that followed, emphasizing that while Vesuvius destroyed Pompeii, it also preserved its secrets.
Pier Ambrogio Curti
Pompei e le sue rovine, Vol. 1 (of 3)
"Pompei e le sue rovine, Vol. 1" by Pier Ambrogio Curti is a historical account written in the late 19th century. This work provides an in-depth exploration of the archaeological site of Pompeii, focusing on its history, structure, and the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius that led to its destruction. The author aims to illuminate the connections between Pompeii and ancient Rome, drawing parallels in public and private life during the Roman Empire. The beginning of this volume sets the stage for an exploration of Pompeii's historical and cultural significance. Curti expresses his emotional response to the ruins of Pompeii, illustrating his feelings of awe and melancholy as he reflects on the city's past. He discusses the enthusiasm of various scholars and artists who have contributed to the understanding of Pompeii, while he himself intends to offer a comparative analysis of Pompeii alongside ancient Rome, enriching the reader's comprehension of both. The text opens with a descriptive prelude that captures the enchanting landscape of Naples and its surroundings, gradually transitioning into the specifics of Pompeii's history and the events leading up to its tragic demise under volcanic ash.
Pier Ambrogio Curti
Pompei e le sue rovine, Vol. 3 (of 3)
"Pompei e le sue rovine, Vol. 3 (of 3)" by Pier Ambrogio Curti is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The work delves into the archaeological discoveries of the ancient city of Pompeii, exploring its military, architectural, and societal structures as well as the Roman way of life as evidenced by the ruins. The comprehensive nature of this account seeks to give readers an in-depth understanding of how the Romans lived and fought in a city that was ultimately preserved under volcanic ash. The opening of the work introduces the reader to the military district of Pompeii and the significance of the Pagus Augustus Felix, highlighting the organization and structure of the Roman military. Curti presents a detailed examination of various military ranks, formations, and the training of soldiers, setting the stage for a discussion of Pompeii’s unique archaeological findings. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of discipline within the military, showcasing how these elements contributed to the broader context of Roman public life, ultimately foreshadowing further insights into the city’s residential architecture and private life in the following sections.
Candido Augusto Vecchi
Pompei
"Pompei" by Candido Augusto Vecchi is a work of historical fiction written in the late 19th century. It reconstructs everyday life, faith, and politics in ancient Pompeii through archaeological imagination and staged historical scenes. The narrative follows a range of Pompeians—priests, freedmen, magistrates, and farmers—moving from temples to forum to fields, blending vivid ritual detail with social critique and human drama. The opening of the book sets out the author’s method of reviving the past, then unfolds a night scene in which a freedman consults an Etruscan diviner, exposing the tricks of augury and sacrifice. A grand public rite at Jupiter’s temple during the Social War shows panic, pageantry, and doubt, culminating in a frank exchange between two priests about the limits of the gods and the need for human courage, while Sulla’s campaigns brush past Pompeii, Isis’s oracle buoys the crowd, and civic revels turn raw and earthy; the section closes with the intimate death of a young Pompeian brought home from the battlefield. The narrative then shifts to the countryside, where Vestorio Tucca and his son visit the veteran Coecilio Casella and tour vineyards, orchards, and olive groves, yielding a compact, practical portrait of Campanian agriculture and a humane contrast to Cato’s austerity. It ends with a simple meal, a visit to the library, and a touching manumission ceremony that affirms character and community.
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