Pompeii was a prosperous city in the ancient Roman era, known for its rich culture, art and architecture. The city prospered through trade and agriculture and attracted a large number of people from different parts of the Roman Empire.
On August 24, 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted and buried the city in a thick layer of ash and rock, burying almost everything beneath it. Paradoxically, this led to the city being preserved and remaining amazingly well preserved over the centuries.