Pompeii

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References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

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Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii

Area of Italy affected by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 ce

Tour Pompeii ruins, House of Faun, Forum, Temple of Apollo, and Amphitheatre with Mount Vesuvius in view

Pompeii: a main street of ancient Pompeii

Pompeii: basilica

Pompeii: Temple of Apollo

For Students

Temple of Apollo, Pompeii, Italy, with Mount Vesuvius in the background.

Pompeii summary

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Pompeii: Facts & Related Content

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Jun 15, 2025

News •

Wall and vault collapse in Pompeii after Campi quake • June 14, 2025, 3:59 AM ET (Jerusalem Post)

800 ancient roses: Pompeii's Garden of Hercules reopens • June 14, 2025, 3:59 AM ET (Jerusalem Post)

Earthquake damages part of Pompeii site in southern Italy • June 5, 2025, 10:26 AM ET (Reuters)

4 people sought shelter from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius — and sealed their own fates • May 19, 2025, 3:07 AM ET (CNN)

Facts

Also Known As	Pompei

Did You Know?

Pink Floyd filmed a live concert in Pompeii's Amphitheatre for their documentary.
A 2014 Pompeii preservation effort cost an estimated $145 million, the same price as roughly 362 Lamborghini Aventadors.
According to the Volcanic Explosivity Index, Mount Vesuvius's 79 CE eruption was as explosive as that of Mount St. Helens in 1989.

Photos and Videos

Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii

Area of Italy affected by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 ce

Pompeii: a main street of ancient Pompeii

Pompeii: basilica

Pompeii: Temple of Apollo

Tour Pompeii ruins, House of Faun, Forum, Temple of Apollo, and Amphitheatre with Mount Vesuvius in view

Discover the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, buried in volcanic ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted

See All Videos and Images →

Topics

mosaic ancient Italic people fresco painting Herculaneum Capua Alba Longa Paestum Sybaris Campus Martius Baiae Cumae Selinus Veii

Italy

Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii

Vesuvius

volcano, Italy

Roman Forum

ancient Rome

ancient state, Europe, Africa, and Asia

Herculaneum

Herculaneum

ancient city, Italy

Vairano Patenora: castle

Campania

region, Italy

Key People

Giuseppe Fiorelli

Italian archaeologist

Quiz

Quiz thumbnail, "What Happened on this Very Important Date" quiz. A push pin on a calendar

What Very Big Thing Happened on This Day?

Temple ruins of columns and statures at Karnak, Egypt (Egyptian architecture; Egyptian archaelogy; Egyptian history)

History Buff Quiz