Pompeii

Pompeii was a busy city in ancient Italy. In the year 79, a nearby volcano called Mount Vesuvius erupted. Hot ash and rock covered the whole city in just a few hours. The ash kept Pompeii hidden and safe for almost 1,700 years. Today, people can visit it and see what Roman life was like long ago.

The Big Eruption

Mount Vesuvius is a tall volcano near Pompeii. One day it blasted smoke, ash, and rocks high into the sky. The ash rained down and covered homes, shops, and people. Many who could not run away were trapped. The whole city was buried and forgotten.

Pompeii's ancient ruins sit below the tall volcano Vesuvius.
Pompeii's ancient ruins sit below the tall volcano Vesuvius. (Heinz-Josef Lücking / Wikimedia Commons)

A City Found Again

Workers found Pompeii by accident in the 1700s. They dug carefully and saw streets, houses, and paintings still in place. Even loaves of bread were found inside old ovens. Scientists made plaster shapes of the people who were buried. These shapes show us how they looked during the eruption.

Fun Facts

  • Pompeii had fast food shops where people could buy warm meals.
  • The city had over 10,000 people before the volcano erupted.
  • You can still see real Roman graffiti on the walls of Pompeii.

Did You Know?

Mount Vesuvius is still an active volcano today, and many people live near it.