The complete Pompeii / Joanne Berry.

Originally published: 2007.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Machine generated contents note: I.Disaster in the Shadow of Vesuvius -- The Volcano -- The Eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79 -- Aftermath of the Eruption -- The Preservation of Pompeii and Herculaneum -- Other Sites Buried by Vesuvius in AD 79 -- II.Rediscovering Pompeii's Buried Past -- The Earliest Excavations -- Karl Weber and the Villa of the Papyri -- Work Returns to Pompeii -- A Period of Political Turmoil -- The Unification of Italy and the Impact of Giuseppe Fiorelli -- Developments at the Turn of the 20th Century -- Amedeo Maiuri and the `Nuovi Scavi' -- Post-War Developments and Changes -- III.Birth and Growth of a Roman Town -- The Traditional Account of Pompeii's Origins and Development -- Campania Before the Foundation of Pompeii: the Cultural Context -- The Foundation of Pompeii -- The Romans in the Bay of Naples -- The 1st Century BC -- IV.The People of Pompeii -- The Population of Pompeii -- The Social Composition of the Town -- Death and Burial --

Contents note continued: The Evidence of Graffiti and Other Writings -- Erotic Pompeii -- Women in Pompeii -- V.Life in the Public Eye -- The Political Structure of Pompeii -- The Politics of Public Building -- Civic Buildings in the Forum -- Politics and Propaganda -- The Theatres of Herculaneum and Pompeii -- Gladiatorial Games -- The Amphitheatre -- Baths and Bathing -- VI.Houses and Society -- The Ideal Roman House -- The Role of the House in Roman Society -- Mosaics -- Wall-Painting -- Household Artifacts -- Gardens -- VII.Gods, Temples and Cults -- Pre-Roman Gods and Temples -- Public Religion and Temples in the Roman Period -- The Imperial Cult -- Public Participation in Religion -- Mystery Religions and `Foreign' Cults -- Household Religion -- VIII.Economic Life in a Roman Town -- Rural Territory and Agriculture -- Agriculture Within the Town Walls -- Craft and Commerce at Pompeii -- Shops and Markets -- Bars and Inns -- IX.The Last Years of Pompeii --

Contents note continued: The Impact of the Earthquake of AD 63 -- Life in Pompeii AD 63--79 -- Visiting Pompeii -- Further Reading.

Pompeii is the best known and probably the most important archaeological site in the world. This book, now available in paperback, is the most up-to-date, authoritative and comprehensive account for the general reader of its rise, splendour and fall. The drama of Pompeii's end has been handed down by Roman writers, its paintings and mosaics have astonished visitors since their discovery, and its houses and public buildings still present a vivid picture of life, disaster and death in a Roman town.