AD 79: Year of Vesuvius

by Bruce Ware Allen

In AD 79, Italy's mount Vesuvius erupted, covering Pompeii and Herculaneum in hot ash and lava. This was not, however, the only important event of that year. One emperor died, another succeeded, farmers farmed, politicians plotted, lawyers advocated, businessmen cut deals, life went on. In this podcast, we will follow seasons of a typical year at the height of Rome's power from the perspectives of people high and low.

Podcast episodes

  • We Need to Talk About Vesuvius

    We Need to Talk About Vesuvius

    In which is discussed the question of the dating of the eruption, from sources literary and archeological.

  • AUGUST

    AUGUST

    In which vagaries of the month are discussed in brief

  • A Trip to Misenum

    A Trip to Misenum

    In which we suggest Titus visited Misenum after his father's death and visited his old family friend Pliny the Elder

  • A Trip to Herculaneum

    A Trip to Herculaneum

    In which we suggest Titus visited Pompeii after his father's death and visited local dignitaries, the Nonii Balbii

  • A Trip to Pompeii

    A Trip to Pompeii

    In which we suggest Titus visited Pompeii after his father's death and visited local dignitaries, the Holconii