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Life in Herculaneum
On a beach near Naples in October 79 CE, more than three hundred people were standing on a beach, hoping for an evacuation. Vesuvius – a volcano which needs no introduction in the world of Ancient Rome – erupted. They had left it too late, and were all instantly killed in the devastation that followed.
Neighbouring the world-renowned Pompeii, the town of Herculaneum is the neglected victim of Vesuvius. It was uniquely preserved in the aftermath of the eruption, and in many ways gives us unparalleled windows into the past.
For the first time, this fascinating new history tells the story of Herculaneum and the people who lived there. Through the eyes of the Weaver, the Slave Girl and the Pregnant Lady, the Soldier, the Fisherman and the Boxer, as well as relevant buildings and the archaeological discoveries of the past 20 years it is possible to hear their voices and build a historical picture that is more colourful, complete and alive than has ever been possible before.
‘What an extraordinary tour de force! At last, a book that brings Herculaneum vividly back to life through the fabric of the city, its ancient inhabitants, and of course, its Gods. Adrian Murdoch’s fresh approach surges life back into Herculaneum with the same force as the pyroclastic flows that removed it in AD 79. Painstakingly researched, Murdoch’s lucid text delves deep into the history of Herculaenum and unravels the palimpsest we see today.
Murdoch cleverly weaves together the fragments of evidence in Herculaneum and repopulates it both with moving portraits of those anonymous inhabitants who tragically died on the town’s shorefront and incisive biographies of those we do know the names of and where they lived and worked. It is an essential guide to Herculaneum, whether on site or from an armchair, but it is so much more than that as the stories, myths, and facts about the ancient city are brought together and contextualised.
A thoroughly engaging account that will cast Herculaneum from the shadow of Pompeii. It sought to put Herculaneum back on the map and this book has done just that with gusto.’
Dr Sophie Hay,
‘An illuminating and accomplished retelling of the vibrant history of Herculaneum, explored through its people. This is an absolute must-read for anyone even remotely intrigued by the story of the city and its population, so often overlooked in favour of Pompeii, yet offering equally rich insights into Roman life. With a sharp eye for both the finer details and the wider historical landscape, this timely and engaging reassessment sheds new light on a site that continues to reshape our understanding of the ancient world.’
Dr Jessica Veneer,
‘Finally, a book that puts Herculaneum back on the map! Discover all the delights of the city that has for too long resided in the shadow of Pompeii.’
Daisy Dunn, author of The Missing Thread and In the Shadow of Vesuvius,
