Marked in history as a day that will be forever known as the most infamous of Mt. Vesuvius’s eruptions is the destruction of Pompeii. In the year of 79AD, the city was blanketed under a thick layer of volcanic dust that ultimately led to the abandonment of the city by its residents. At the time of the eruption, it is estimated by scholars that around 20,000 people were living in Pompeii.
The eruption was not so out of the blue however, like days before the volcano was known to have been more active and dead fish were coming up along the shorelines. These tell-tale signs, as we know are always a reason to believe that something was clearly not right. Without this knowledge, however, many of the ancient locals thought little of these signs. So, with that in mind, what happened to the people who stayed behind on that fateful day in Pompeii?
What happened to the residents of Pompeii after the eruption?
Scholars estimated that over 2,000 people perished throughout the three-day period it took for the destruction of Pompeii to end. The whole city was at a standstill, with some residents trying to locate missing loved ones with little to no luck. Those who survived were now refugees and most stayed along the Southern Italian coast, frequenting cities like Naples. We know this because of new evidence brought to light by researchers who are tracing the paths of Pompeii locals after the event.
What can be seen at Pompeii today?
Today, Pompeii is visited by 2.5 million tourists a year. It is a UNESCO world heritage listed site that offers visitors the chance to see how the Ancient Romans lived thousands of years ago. In the twisted way that irony works, the volcanic ash acted as a preserver, leaving the city remains intact.
A short journey from Naples will lead you to Pompeii where you can walk amongst the ruins of the city. You will find yourself transported back in time to a golden era of the Roman empire as the true grandeur of the city comes to life before your eyes. Here you will find colourful murals and frescoes that pay homage to the deities that were worshipped.
The museum holds antiquities from the excavations such as pottery, household items and a multitude of amphoras; tall Roman jars. Over at the far end of the site, you will discover a large amphitheater which could seat 12,000 spectators. It holds precedence as it is the oldest surviving one of its kind. There are many areas to visit in Pompeii as it covered a total area space of 170 acres, so there is something for every kind of tourist to discover!
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