Pompeii, before becoming one of the most famous historical sites in the world, was a bustling and prosperous port city located along the coast of Naples Bay.
With its advantageous geographical location, Pompeii was not only a favorite vacation spot for the Roman elite but also a thriving agricultural center in the past. However, in 79 AD, a catastrophic disaster occurred, burying the city of Pompeii under layers of ash and volcanic rock, transforming it into a permanent historical monument.
While many managed to escape the horrifying scenes, approximately 2,000 people were not so fortunate. To this day, as archaeologists continue to uncover the buried mysteries, many questions remain unanswered, creating uncertainties and unresolved issues surrounding the Pompeii disaster.
In 79 AD, a catastrophic disaster occurred in the ancient city of Pompeii.
Why Were the Residents Not Alerted by the Warning Signs?
When minor earthquakes began to occur before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, the people of Pompeii and nearby areas such as Herculaneum likely sensed the abnormality. However, the ancient Romans lacked advanced seismic equipment to predict the impending event and also lacked the knowledge of volcanic activity that we have today. While earthquakes were frequent in the area, the sight of gas plumes emanating from the mountain could have contributed to the image of the “giants” that ancient recorders like Cassius Dio described.
Despite the clear warning signs, it seems that the people of Pompeii were not sufficiently vigilant to evacuate. On the contrary, there is evidence that construction and the water supply system in the city were still under repair at the time of the eruption. Perhaps due to the city’s prosperity and vibrancy, the residents were reluctant to leave, despite the potential danger signs.
The volcanic eruption buried the entire city.
When Did the Eruption Actually Occur?
August 24, 79 AD is often regarded as the date of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, based on the accounts of Pliny the Younger – the only eyewitness who documented the event. However, there are many doubts about the accuracy of this date. Pliny the Younger wrote about this event nearly two decades after it occurred, and he may have misremembered the date. Additionally, archaeologists have found a charcoal inscription on a wall in Pompeii, suggesting that the eruption may have occurred in mid-October rather than late August as many believe.
This revelation sheds light on other evidence, such as the use of heating systems and the consumption of autumn fruits found at the ruins of Pompeii, which do not align with the late summer timeframe.
The eruption may have occurred in mid-October rather than late August as recorded by Pliny the Younger.
Why Was Evacuation by Sea Ineffective?
Pompeii was situated right by the sea with many docks and boats, yet evacuation by sea seemed to be less effective than expected. One reason could be the harsh weather conditions, with the bay’s waters often being turbulent and winds blowing inland, making it difficult to leave the shore. Pliny the Younger recorded that strong winds prevented some boats from departing the area.
Moreover, some waterways may have been blocked by pumice and falling ash, making movement dangerous and challenging. Archaeologists have discovered the remains of many individuals in the coastal boathouses of Herculaneum, suggesting they may have been unable to escape the area safely before being buried.
How Large Was the Eruption?
Although the Pompeii disaster had horrific consequences, we still do not know the precise magnitude of this eruption. Based on the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI), researchers estimate that the eruption of 79 AD could have reached a VEI level of 5, equivalent to the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980. However, due to a lack of specific data and eyewitness reports on the ground, the exact scale of the eruption remains undetermined.
It is estimated that this eruption was equivalent to the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980.
Interestingly, when archaeologists explore the ruins of Pompeii, they find that the dental health of the ancient residents here was far better than the standards of the time. This may be attributed to the low-sugar diet of the Pompeiians, but another factor could be the fluoride in the water, sourced from the geological system of Mount Vesuvius. Fluoride can help strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities, but it can also cause fluorosis, leading to bone and joint issues.
Where Are the Other Direct Accounts of This Disaster?
Aside from the letters of Pliny the Younger, no other direct documents regarding the Pompeii disaster have been found to date. This raises questions about the literacy rate in ancient Roman society and why there are no other survivors’ accounts recorded. Some scholars suggest that documents may have been lost over time or even hidden within the Bible, with apocalyptic imagery in the Book of Revelation potentially being a coded description of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
Why Did People Not Recognize the Eruption Risk Again?
It seems the residents living around Vesuvius were not fully aware of the risks from this mountain.
Despite lacking modern scientific equipment, the ancient Romans also made observations about the history of Vesuvius. The geographer Strabo and historian Diodorus Siculus both described Vesuvius with traces of a violent eruptive past. However, it appears that the people living around Vesuvius were not fully aware of the risks from this mountain, as they continued to live and develop densely populated cities like Pompeii and Herculaneum at the foot of the volcano.
Why Do We Not Know More About the Refugees of Pompeii?
While it is known that some people escaped the Pompeii disaster, the exact number of survivors and their lives afterward remains a mystery. It is estimated that around 13,000 people survived, but due to a lack of historical documentation, it is challenging to accurately determine where these individuals went and what they experienced after leaving the buried city.
The Pompeii disaster is a significant historical event, but the unanswered questions surrounding it continue to puzzle archaeologists and historians. As we continue to explore the ruins and traces of this ancient city, perhaps these mysteries will gradually be unraveled, helping us gain a better understanding of the lives and deaths of the people of Pompeii nearly two millennia ago.
