As Romans marked the Parilia, the anniversary of the city's founding, Mount Vesuvius sat quiet above Pompeii, days from burying the city.

In the months before Vesuvius erupted and buried Pompeii, minor tremors and springs drying up warned a Roman world that read the signs too late.

Mount Vesuvius's catastrophic eruption is traditionally dated by later sources to around this time, burying Pompeii and Herculaneum in ash and pumice.

Mount Vesuvius erupted catastrophically, burying Pompeii and Herculaneum under ash and pumice and killing thousands of residents.

Mount Vesuvius erupted violently, burying Pompeii and Herculaneum under ash and pumice, killing thousands and freezing Roman daily life in place.