logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2019
37m 37s

The Destruction of Pompeii

Hallie
About this episode

In the year 79 CE, Mt. Vesuvius erupted, burying the Roman city of Pompeii. The ruins were only rediscovered in the the late 1700s, and have been under excavation ever since. In this episode we discuss written references and the archaeology of Pompeii, Vesuvius and the day the volcano destroyed the city. 

TW Detailed discussion of traumatic death by natural disaster

Become a Patron: bit.ly/morbidpatron

Buy The MCP a Book: bit.ly/morbidwishlist

Up next
Jul 1
The History of Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological condition that causes seizures, but throughout history, it was thought to be caused by demonic possession, angry gods and evil spirits. In this episode we discuss what Epilepsy is, and its medical and social history. 
35m 19s
Jun 14
Changing Fortunes: A History of Highgate Cemetery
Originally released for Patrons on Feb 13, 2023. "Highgate cemetery was one of the first large garden cemeteries built during the industrialization of London. Over the years it's had its ups and downs, from being a sought-after luxury cemetery to an abandoned, overgrown haunt of ... Show More
33m 22s
May 30
Buried Alive: Taphophobia & Safety Coffins
Between the late 18th and early 20th century, the fear of premature burial was intense. This fear was spurred by both real incidents and magnification of the issue by newspapers and public interest groups. Many inventive ideas arose to deal with the issue, one of which was the se ... Show More
31m 5s
Recommended Episodes
May 22
Le réveil du Vésuve ou la destruction de Pompéi
Virginie Girod raconte l'une des plus célèbres catastrophes naturelles de l'Antiquité. En 79 de notre ère, le Vésuve entre en éruption. En quelques heures, la cité de Pompéi est ensevelie sous les nuées ardentes et ses habitants, figés pour l'éternité dans leur tentative de fuite ... Show More
15m 22s
Nov 2021
8 - La storia di Pompei
Pompeii history 
20m 9s
Oct 2024
The Last Regular Day in Pompeii
October 24th, 79. Pompeii is one of the crown jewels of the Roman Empire, a bustling city that serves as a coastal retreat for Rome's elite. But Pompeii also has a large, often overlooked middle-class population. They don't live in Pompeii's massive villas. Instead, they live a t ... Show More
40m 38s
Jun 5
Pompeii and the Vesuvius Eruption
"What happens when a volcano erupts just six miles from a bustling city? In 79 AD Mount Vesuvius is regarded as a source of bounty by those who live in its shadow. But one of history’s most infamous natural disasters soon unfolds. How did the lucky ones make their escape? And how ... Show More
45m 3s
Mar 2024
POMPEII – Tragedy Frozen in Time
Pompeii - is an ancient Roman city near modern Naples, Italy, famously preserved in time by the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Its ruins offer a haunting glimpse into daily life, frozen in the moment of destruction, making it a horrifying yet historical site. D ... Show More
42m 27s
Apr 3
Herculaneum
In 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius unleashed devastation on the Roman world, burying entire towns beneath volcanic ash. While Pompeii is world-famous, another extraordinary site met the same fate - Herculaneum. In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Andrew W ... Show More
1h 3m
Mar 2025
Excavating Pompeii
Pompeii has been excavated for hundreds of years, and in that time techniques, practices and philosophies have changed. We’re now finding out a lot more about the city and the people who lived there, and there’s still more to find out. The When in Rome podcast is now fundraising ... Show More
39m 26s
Mar 2024
The History of the World podcast Magazine - 8th March 2024
EVENTS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD (1) - We go way back in history to explore the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs, the completion of the Great Pyramid, the creation of the Akkadian Empire, the law code of Hammurabi and the eruption of the volcano of the island of Thera. 
39m 39s
Aug 2024
Krakatoa!
The awesome, brutal power of the Krakatoa eruption, which had the explosive force of a 200-megatonne bomb, killed more than 36,000 people and cooled the entire Earth by an average of 0.6°C. Curiously, Krakatoa is not the most powerful volcanic eruption in history, but it is perha ... Show More
11m 45s
Aug 2023
Sex Work in Pompeii
This episode contains some strong language references to sexual content. Pompeii is shrouded in myths and legends about it's vibrant, after hours, night life. With theories of carved stone penis' pointing towards brothels, frescoes of graphic images, and bawdy graffiti immortalis ... Show More
37m 16s