Pompeii

(A fill in the blank essay)

         Pompeii was an ancient city in southern Italy.  The city of Pompeii was built at the foot of Mt Vesuvius.   The people of Pompeii did NOT know they were living by a volcano because there had not been an eruption for more than 1,800 years.  

Pompeii was originally settled by the Greeks.  Pompeii was a port city, a prime location for trade.   The volcanic soil was also rich with nutrients   It was perfect land for growing grapes and olive trees.   In the 4^th century, the town was captured by an Italian tribe called the Samnites.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

         In 62 AD, a severe earthquake struck Pompeii.  It took many years for the city to rebuild.  Mount Vesuvius erupted on August 24, 79 A.D. killing 13%people and completely destroying the city. Volcanic ash quickly buried Pompeii and preserved the city and the people who died.  Pliny the Younger, an author and lawyer from Rome, wrote about the cloud of gas and ash.  

         Pompeii was buried and forgotten until the year 1748  It was discovered by workers building a palace.  Archaeologists are still working there today.  An Italian archaeologist was able to produce accurate casts of the people who died in Pompeii