History · 1

In what year did Mount Vesuvius erupt and bury the Roman city of Pompeii under metres of volcanic ash?

Answer

79 CE

Mount Vesuvius erupted on 24 August 79 CE (or possibly October, based on recent archaeological evidence), burying Pompeii and nearby Herculaneum under several metres of volcanic ash and pumice. The city was rediscovered in the 18th century and has been excavated ever since.

💡 Did you know?

Pompeii's catastrophic burial preserved Roman election slogans, graffiti, and a fast-food shop menu still showing its prices — the most detailed accidental time capsule of daily ancient life ever found.

Other options people guess

  • 62 CE
  • 105 CE
  • 44 BCE

Topics

  • archaeology
  • ancient-history
  • rome
  • civilisations

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