Pompeii
Frozen in time when Mount Vesuvius erupted on August 24, 79 C.E., Pompeii, gradually rediscovered and slowly excavated, has had an enormous impact on the "collective imagination." Editor and contributor Coarelli, an expert on Roman antiquities at the University of Perugia, and his equally impressive contributors, trace Pompeii's profound influence on literature, history, art, music, and film, and examine the major role it has played in the evolution of archaeology. But these are only two strands in a vividly detailed tapestry that also includes an overview of Pompeii's history, a chronicle of its daily life, and a comprehensive tour of the spectacular city itself, from its awe-inspiring temples to its taverns, gladiator barracks, bakeries, baths, and shops. And then there are the 500 breathtaking, brand-new color photographs of city vistas, architectural marvels, and exquisite sculptures, as well as jewelry, household objects, and close-ups of mosaics, friezes, and frescoes (some sacred, some erotic). Once a vibrant community, now a city of dreams, Pompeii, as this impressive book proves, remains utterly compelling.Donna SeamanCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved