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 "nouvi 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 people of Pompeii. The population of Pompeii --
The social composition of the town --
The evidence of graffiti and other writings --
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 --
Baths and bathing - VI. Houses and society. The ideal Roman house --
The role of the house in Roman society --
VII. Gods temples and cults. Pre-Roman Gods and temples --
Public religion and temples in the Roman period --
Public participation in religion --
Mystery religions and "foreign" cults --
VIII. Economic life in a Roman town. Rural territory and agriculture --
Agriculture within the town walls --
Craft and commerce at Pompeii --
IX. The last years of Pompeii. The impact of the earthquake of AD 63 --
Life in Pompeii AD 63-79.
