From Pompeii: The Afterlife of a Roman Town
Buried and preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in CE 79, the ancient Roman city of Pompeii is one of the most studied historic sites by archaeologists. Architectural scholar Rowland first became enthusiastic about Pompeii when she visited it in 1961 as a child with her parents and younger brother. The city was subjected to human as well as volcanic destruction in efforts to protect it for archaeologists and display it for tourists, becoming “a strange mix of overly packaged Disneyland and idyllic wilderness walk.” Rowland brings her “personal archaeology” to the task of exploring Pompeii as a scholar and offers a selection of visitors—artists, writers, scientists—whose lives were also changed by visiting Pompeii. Among those pondering the everyday artifacts and erotica she includes the Jesuit Athanasius, who challenged the belief that Mount Vesuvius’ eruptions were God’s wrath on human wickedness; Raphael, who found inspiration in Pompeii’s ancient drawings; and Freud, who discovered therapeutic benefit in his visit. Rowland also recounts visits by Mozart, Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, and Japanese crown prince Hirohito in this engaging look at the allure of an ancient city. --Vanessa Bush