In the month of the deified emperor Augustus, in the year 79 of the Christian era, the mountain called Somma, also known as Vesuvius, erupted and destroyed the ancient Roman city called Pompeii.

Vesuvius in eruption. Until 79 A.D. this mountain was not known to be a volcano.

The forum and market street of Pompeii, the edge of Vesuvius in the background.

The house of Cornelius, one of the many wealthy citizens of the resort town.

Ash and steam rise from the summit of the classic stratovolcano.

The temple of the Egyptian goddess Isis, one of the oldest in Pompeii.

The arena, one of the oldest in the roman empire. Vesuvius' top is missing.

Fossil casts of bodies buried in ash have been preserved from the moment of death.

Subsequent flows of lava have attempted to reconstruct the missing summit.