Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!

Everyone knows that Mount Vesuvius’s eruption destroyed Pompeii in 79 A.D. I didn’t know that Pompeii was at least 800 years old and had a fascinating history that pre-dated the Roman Period by hundreds of years.

Photoblog, Naples, Italy, April 10, 2025

What are we doing in Europe? Here is the story. Touring Europe might be a crazy idea.

Pompeii was part of the Ancient Campania area south of Rome, which included Naples. The language was Oscan. Aristotle (354 B.C.) called the people “Opici.” North of Oscan was Ancient Umbria. Pompeii was probably initially founded by the Etruscans as a port city. Rome was 400 years into the future.

There was also a period when Greece was the most important influence in Pompeii. South of Pompeii was a significant Greek city I covered in this blog post. We found Amazing Greek Temples in Italy!

Campania (including Pompeii) aligned with Rome around 340 B.C. and gained limited Roman citizenship without voting rights, allowing its inhabitants to trade and intermarry with Romans.

Pompeii’s Roman status didn’t preclude a few conflicts with Rome. Notably, in 89 B.C., they rebelled against Rome, and after their defeat, Pompeii became a Roman colony named Colonia Cornelia Veneria Pompeianorum. Translated, this means the “Cornelia” unincorporated area, which is very desirable, Pompeii.

By 79 A.D., Pompeii was a major port city serving Rome. By 79, A, D, and Pompeii had a population of perhaps 20,000. Pompeii prospered from the region’s renowned agricultural fertility and favorable location.

The eruption of Mount Vesuvius

The miracle associated with Mount Vesuvius’s eruption in 79 A.D. is that many (perhaps most) people in Pompeii survived the eruption. The reason is that the eruption’s first day was mild compared to the second day’s devastating eruption. Many victims were found attempting to escape with their most valuable possessions, indicating that they thought they had time to recover and transport them. After the eruption, the city was frozen in time under a vast, deep blanket of ash.

View of the south side of Mount Vesuvius Pompei is along the coast along the coast at the left side of the photo. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — View of the south side of Mount Vesuvius Pompei is along the coast at the left side of the photo.

By the evening of the second day of the eruption, nothing remained. All the people were dead (or ran away). All the roofs collapsed. Everything was covered with volcanic ash. Archeological excavations started in the 1800s, and a nearly intact city was buried all in one day.

How to see the Pompeii Archeological Park

The first thing to know about Pompeii Archeological Park is its vast size. If you are going to make a day trip, as we did from Naples, try to arrive early and realize that even if you try to see the entire park, you will miss more than half of it. The archeologists have been digging on the 165-acre site for over 200 years—the small roads number in the hundreds. There are thousands of structures.

If all you want to see is the most impressive things found at the park, go to the Naples Museum. We didn’t do that; it would have been time well spent. I would go to Pompeii on one day and then to the museum on a different day.

My third recommendation is to avoid going in the summer. There is almost no shade in Pompeii. Our visit during the first half of April was great, but we only saw perhaps 20% of the park, and it took us most of one full day.

Photos of the Pompeii Archeological Park

The images are in order, starting at the Via Marina Gate, proceeding through the park to the Arena, and then backtracking through some of the more interesting areas to the Via Marina Gate.

The Temple of Apollo was one of the two earliest temples built in Pompeii Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — The Temple of Apollo was one of the two earliest temples built in Pompeii

Part of the Temple of Apollo in Pompeii near the forum. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — Part of the Temple of Apollo in Pompeii near the forum.

This large building is the temple of Apollo. It originally had columns. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — This large building is the temple of Apollo. It originally had 48 towering columns.

These columns are in the area now identified as the Basilica. It was a public meeting place, not an area for religious services. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — These columns are in the area now identified as the Basilica. It was a public meeting place, not an area for religious services.

This is a major two way street. The first clue is the three stepping stones and the wide side walks on both sides. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — This is a major two-way street. The first clue is the three stepping stones and the wide sidewalks on both sides. Two horse-drawn carts could pass in the street simultaneously but not at the stepping stones.

This is a public fountain. If the water wasn't used, it would fill the basin and then drip onto the street. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — This is a public fountain. The water would fill the basin and drip onto the street if the water wasn’t used.

This is not a body but rather a victim of the eruption was in this position when it was covered by volcanic ash. Over the ages the body decomposed and it created a mold that when filled represents the person who died here. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — This is not a body but rather a victim of the eruption, which was in this position when it was covered by volcanic ash. Over the ages, the body decomposes, creating a mold that, when filled, represents the person who died.

A soaking tub at the baths of Pompeii. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — A soaking tub at the baths of Pompeii.

The baths at Pompeii had heated floors. The floor was suspended on these blocks. Warm air was passed under the blocks. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — The baths at Pompeii had heated floors. The floor was suspended on blocks, and warm air was passed under them.

These three stones in the street are for stepping across when the road was filled with water. Also note the ruts where the wagon wheels passed wearing away the granite. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — These three stones in the street were used for stepping across when the road was filled with water. Also note the ruts where the wagon wheels passed, wearing away the granite.

The streets in Pompeii were paved with stones. Tami called them ankle breakers. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — The streets in Pompeii were paved with stones. Tami called them ankle breakers.

House of Marcus Epidius Rufus in Pompeii. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — House of Marcus Epidius Rufus.

House with taberna (selling space) on the ground floor. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — A house with a taberna (selling space) is on the ground floor.

Mosaic floor inside a building in Pompeii. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — A Mosaic floor inside a home in Pompeii.

Two thousand years frescos above a doorway in Pompeii. The roof structure over the top is to protect the frescos from bleaching by the sun. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — Two thousand years frescos above a doorway. The roof structure over the top protects the frescos from bleaching by the sun.

A fresco at the back of a restaurant at Pompeii. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — A fresco at the back of a restaurant.

Overlooking the ruins at Pompeii. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — Overlooking the ruins at Pompeii.

The gladiator entrance into the arena at Pompeii. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — The gladiator entrance into the arena at Pompeii.

A necropolis is a city built for the dead. These structures are two mausoleums each containing several burial chambers. It serves as a monument to the deceased family member. This photo is from the necropolis at the edge of Pompeii. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — A necropolis is a city built for the dead. It consists of mausoleums, each containing several burial chambers, and serves as a monument to the deceased family member. This photo is from the necropolis at the edge of Pompeii.

A mausoleum containing three burial chambers. This photo is from the necropolis at the edge of Pompeii. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — A mausoleum containing three burial chambers. This photo is from the necropolis.

Statues and column finals from the necropolis next to Pompeii. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — Statues and column finals from the necropolis.

A mausoleum containing two statues assumed to be monuments to the deceased at the necropolis at the edge of Pompeii. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — A mausoleum containing two statues. The statues are assumed to be monuments to the deceased at the necropolis.

A multiple burial chamber mausoleum at the necropolis at the edge of Pompeii. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — A multiple burial chamber mausoleum at the necropolis.

Tami standing in front of an intact gate over the road leading into Pompeii. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — Tami standing in front of an intact gate over the road leading into Pompeii.

Photo of a dirt path along the walls at Pompeii. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — Photo of a dirt path along the walls at Pompeii. Mount Vesuvius is in the background of the photo.

Part of the huge restored house of Menander in Pompeii. The house is more than 19000 square feet and is assumed to be a "summer home" to a very wealth person from Naples. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — Part of the huge restored house of Menander. The house is more than 19,000 square feet and is assumed to be a “summer home” to a very wealthy person from Naples.

Several victims were found at the House of Menander. They seemed to be looting the wealthy house the day after the minor explosion and were covered immediately by the volcanic ash.

Fresco on the walls of the House of Menander in Pompeii. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — Fresco on the walls of the House of Menander.

Photo of a box containing human bones at Pompeii. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — Photo of a box containing human bones at Pompeii.

Clay pottery recovered during excavation at Pompeii. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — Clay pottery recovered during excavation at Pompeii.

Two wheel horse drawn cart and clay pottery recovered during excavation at Pompeii. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — This two-wheel horse-drawn cart and clay pottery were recovered during the excavation.

This happy fellow was standing inside the ruins playing with his phone at Pompeii and after a long wait noticed that I wanted to take a photo. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — This happy fellow was standing inside the ruins, playing with his phone, when, after a long wait, he noticed that I wanted to take a photo.

Don’t stand in the ruins.

Step off to the side if you want to look at your cell phone. I can’t tell you how frequently this happens. I hope I am not guilty of the same thing.

Stay happy.

Fresco on the wall of the the Casa dei Ceii in Pompeii. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — Fresco is on the wall of the Casa dei Ceii.

This 2000 year old fresco is at the Casa dei Ceii in Pompeii. The house was reroofed as part of the excavation. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — This 2000-year-old fresco is at the Casa dei Ceii. The house was reroofed as part of the excavation.

The Temple of Isis is a Roman temple dedicated to the Egyptian goddess Isis. This small and almost intact temple was one of the first discoveries during the excavation of Pompeii in 1764. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — The Temple of Isis is a Roman temple dedicated to the Egyptian goddess Isis. This small and almost intact temple was one of the first discoveries during the excavation in 1764.

The columns may be part of the House of Gnaeus Alleius Nigidius a very wealthy politician at Pompeii. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — The columns may be part of the House of Gnaeus Alleius Nigidius, a wealthy politician.

The Gladiators Barracks in Pompeii. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — The Gladiators Barracks.

The Amphitheatre of Pompeii is one of the oldest surviving Roman amphitheaters. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — The Amphitheatre of Pompeii is one of the oldest surviving Roman amphitheaters.

House of Epidius Fortunatus in Pompeii. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Pompeii completely destroyed in one day!" — House of Epidius Fortunatus.

Please subscribe and join us on our journey.

We will add you to our email list and send you updates once a week. Here is a link. Subscribe

About our links

As you know, our blog income is zero, which allows us to be independent and tell the truth. We do not get income or commissions. No, we don’t make paid endorsements. We don’t make recommendations; instead, we will tell you what we like (or dislike). The links are only provided as a quick reference to help our readers.

Links

Pompeii Archeological Park

Pompeii: a journey back in time

Visit the Archaeological Park of Pompeii

Naples National Archaeological Museum

About our photos

These photos were taken during our visit. Our photos are often “enhanced” to represent what we saw in person and correct for lighting and other things. Sometimes, this editing makes the images look better than what we saw in person.

About comments

We love seeing your comments, but they are not automatic. I get about twenty spam comments every day, and thus, I have to turn off automatic comments. I read and then personally publish every comment to protect the blog and keep it on the subject and real. You will not see your comment right after you hit submit. Sorry for the delay in publishing your comments. Some comments come from personal emails and Facebook. Please know that we would love to hear from you.