Eruption of Mount Vesuvius (Destruction of Pompeii)

79 CE · disaster

In 79 CE, in present-day Italy, Mount Vesuvius, near the Bay of Naples, erupted violently.

The ejected ash and volcanic material covered and devastated the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. This catastrophe caused the death of a great many people. The preservation of the cities under ash provided, through excavations carried out in later centuries, extremely valuable archaeological information about Roman daily life.

Related civilizations

Frequently asked questions

What was Eruption of Mount Vesuvius (Destruction of Pompeii)?
In 79 CE, in present-day Italy, Mount Vesuvius, near the Bay of Naples, erupted violently.
When did Eruption of Mount Vesuvius (Destruction of Pompeii) happen?
79 CE