For centuries, the tragedy of Pompeii has captured the human imagination and has stood out as one of humanity’s darkest moments, when pumice and ash fell from the sky and the land was choked by a volcano. Beneath layers of ash and time, archaeologists uncovered haunting remains of the dead, grand villas reduced to rubble, and everyday objects left in place as though life was stopped mid-motion.
Around 16,000 people in Pompeii and nearby Herculaneum lost their lives on that fateful day. From families and servants, slaves to children, death was quick and brutal. But there are some victims who have stood out over the years, and have held a larger place in myth and legend. Their stories continue to be told to this day, even as technology advances to uncover more of this disaster.
Intrigued? Click through this gallery to find out more.