The Roman city of Pompeii was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 79 A.D. It was first occupied in 6th century B.C, and the Romans turned it into a place to vacation in 81 B.C., and it served that purpose (among others) until it was buried, lost, and forgotten under mud and ash. Two million people now live under Mount Vesuvius, and it has erupted more than fifty times since 9 A.D.. It continued to erupt every 100 years until about 1037 A.D., when it went into hibernation for six hundred years. In 1631, Mount Vesuvius erupted yet again, taking 4000 more lives. During the restoration (after the 1631 eruption) workers discovered the ruins of ancient Pompeii! Everyone is curious about Pompeii, because the city was a wonderful, glamorous and modern place that seemed to just disappear (like the tale of Atlantis) from the face of the earth. This is your chance to see a bit of exactly what has been uncovered, as John D. Weigand's photographs and the poetry of Penelope Dyan help you explore this once great and ancient city in the pages of yet another Bellissima book meant for kids that looks great on your coffee table!