Pompeii - Hardcover

Wilkinson, Paul

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0563487704 ISBN 13: 9780563487708

Publisher: BBC Books, 2003

Synopsis

Sets out a brief history of the cities of Pompeii and nearby Herculaneum, which also perished in the volcanic explosion on Aguust 24 AD79. The book describes everyday life ina Roman provaince, then follows the last twenty-four hours of the inhabitants. One of history's greatest stories, the destruction of the city of Pompeii was a natural disaster on an epic scale that has fascinated a succession of cultures around the world for centuries. The twin cities lay undisturbed under metres of volcanic debris for more than 1500 years, during which time all memory of them faded. The seal of wet ashes preserved public structures temples, theatres, baths, shops and private dwellings. The remains of some of the victims, including gladiators, soldiers, slaves and their masters, and entire families, were found in the ruins. Archaeological excavations only began in 1748 and hve been continued since then. A massive area has now been excavated, however, even today more than a quarter of Pompeii still awaits excavation.

About this title

About the Author

Dr Paul Wilkinson is a freelance archaeologist specializing in Roman studies. He runs the Kent Archaeological Field School which organises over a hundred days of archaeological courses throughout the year in Britain and abroad. Overseas courses have included field trips to Imperial Rome, Pompeii and Herculaneum, in association with BBC History magazine readers and History Today magazine. His television work includes Time Team, What the Romans Did for Us and History Seekers, as well as a variety of contributions to Meridian Television. Dr Wilkinson is editor of Practical Archaeology magazine and a regular contributor to BBC History magazine, History Today, British Archaeology and The Sunday Times.

Formally Creative Director of Larousse, his PhD is with St Andrews University. He is also a member of the Institute of Field Archaeologists and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He is currently Education Officer in the South East for the Council of British Archaeology. A two-year post-graduate scholarship spent in Campania on fieldwork around Pompeii and Herculaneum aroused an undying passion on the archaeology of the region. Dr Wilkinson is an associate member of the British School in Rome and his recent books include Roman Kent and Roman Villas in Britain.

About this edition

• Publisher: BBC Books
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0563487704
• ISBN 13: 9780563487708
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 192