Pompeii: The Legend Uncovered

Pompeii - in AD79, a vibrant southern Italian city, sitting on the Bay of Naples. In August that year, the previously dormant Mount Vesuvius erupted with terrific force, burying the city and countless nearby settlements.

In this exclusive major documentary, Leo Andrews travels to Pompeii to find out what happened. With access to the archaeological parks, he visits the cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii, walks the streets of the ancient ruins and pieces together how people lived, before the sky turned black. We take a closer look at the final hours of Pompeii - why did so many people die and what lessons have been learned.

Plus we reveal recent new evidence that points to the possibility that our common understanding of the chronology may not be all we thought it was.

When to listen

Christmas Day at 1800GMT repeats Boxing Day at 1800GMT. Repeats on 25th December 2021 at 2100GMT

Credits

CREW

PRODUCTION

Narrator - Leo Andrews
Actor - Luigi Buta
Writer - Leo Andrews
Researcher - Leo Andrews
Editor - Nimmy Bear
Executive Producer - CG
Head of Commissioning - CG

ITALY LOCATION OB UNIT

Sound mixer - Leo Andrews
Researcher - Leo Andrews
Broadcast Assistant - Tracey Spencer

WITH THANKS TO

AncientLiterature.com
Archaeological Parks of Pompeii & Herculaneum
Britannica
British Museum
Fordham University
PBS
Smithsonian.com