Most people can tell you about the volcanic eruption that buried this and several other Roman cities in ash almost a  thousand  years ago, but few can tell you anything more about Pompeii’s history than that. Before you visit this ghost of a city, you may want to learn a little more so you can better appreciate how valuable Pompeii is as a historical record.

In the 700s B.C., the Etruscans inhabited the area around Pompeii. The Etruscan civilization in Italy precedes the Roman Empire, and in fact the Etruscans were eventually completely incorporated into Roman society and today, only vestiges of their language and architecture remain. However, Pompeii’s history includes a period of Greek occupation. The Greeks invaded in the 500s B.C. and overthrew the Etruscans (whom they called the Tyrrhenians) and occupied Pompeii until the Romans came in 200 B.C.

The Romans truly shaped Pompeii into the city that can be seen today. Prior to Roman arrival, Pompeii was likely a primitive settlement, although it may have already had Etruscan sewage systems. The Romans paved Pompeii’s roads and built their characteristic quadrangle homes, with a central courtyard open to the sky.

Tragedy struck on August 24, 79 A.D. when Mt. Vesuvius erupted, covering Pompeii and 20,000 of its inhabitants in a 6 meter layer of ash. The ash has preserved the city’s civic buildings, private homes, artwork and a variety of other everyday artifacts, most of which were uncovered in an 18th century excavation by the Bourbon royal family of Spain.

For a comprehensive photographic record of the remains as they are today, including the areas closed to the public and to help plan your trip or identify your photos when you get back, take a look at http://www.pompeiiinpictures.com/  .