The Fires Of Vesuvius: Pompeii Lost And Found (2008) - Plot & Excerpts
I've always been fascinated by the Romans. I loved taking Latin as a child and imagining all kinds of exciting adventures in ancient Rome. I'll bet Mary Beard, the author of The Fires of Vesuvius, felt the same way. In this book she displays a healthy skepticism about some of the more common theories about the lives of folks in the town of Pompeii and urges the reader to think more critically about how assumptions to be accepted as the truth. She talks about various aspects of Pompeiian life including the gods worshipped there, leisure activities, who ran the city, who lived where and what various buildings were used for. The language is less academic and more casual than is usual and this makes it easier to imagine all the people and the life that revolved around this tragic town. If you like ancient history and reading about Pompeii, this is a book you will enjoy. A good guide to life in ancient Pompeii. It assumes certain knowledge of Roman life but most is explained well. She takes the city house-by-house and demonstrates various aspects of Roman life, particularly the life in this particular town/city. She shows that Rome was not a unitary civilisation but rather an empire constructed in pieces by conquest, especially the Oscan background to Pompeii. What is Oscan? I'll have to look it up. I read a nice edition from The Folio Society not included here on the list. If you are going to Pompeii, this is a great start to your exploration before you go, while there and after you have returned home.
What do You think about The Fires Of Vesuvius: Pompeii Lost And Found (2008)?
Wish I'd read this before I went to Pompeii. If I ever go back, I want to bring this book with me.
—celia
One of the best nonfiction books on Pompeii. Not dry and very hard to put down.
—imtheman
Really 4.5 stars. This book was quite thought-provoking.
—RobynFenty
