The Fall of Ancient Las Vegas. We know the chronology of the catastrophe in Pompeii.
In August 79 AD, a massive volcano eruption occurred in Pompeii. The city was covered by a thick layer of volcanic ash, and 16,000 people perished. Scientists still debate today about what truly caused their deaths.
For many years, it was believed that toxic volcanic gases were responsible for the tragedy. However, a new theory is emerging that the intense heat killed the unfortunate ones who were near Mount Vesuvius.
One witness of the disaster, Pliny the Younger, described the dramatic events in his correspondence with Tacitus. On the day of the volcano’s eruption, he was in the city of Misenum, 35 kilometers away from Pompeii, with his uncle Pliny the Elder.
Around 7 a.m. on August 24th, Gaius’ mother sent alarming news about an approaching cloud with a strange shape. The sight was extraordinary — the entire sky turned black. For several hours, an eerie darkness prevailed, and silence intensified the atmosphere of anxiety.
The explosion occurred almost exactly at noon. The volcano spewed forth successive columns of fire, and ash and stones rained down on Pompeii and nearby towns. Fires consumed more and more buildings.
Pliny the Elder organized a rescue mission, but his body was found the next day…
