Chronology of the Death of Pompeii

Chronology of Pliny the Younger

n the ninth day before the calends of September (August 24), at the beginning of the day, my mother drew my uncle's attention to a cloud of unusual size and appearance. Its general form can best be described as a pine umbrella, for it has risen to a great height as a kind of tree trunk, and then branches have separated from it. I imagine that this was because it was thrust up by the initial blast until its power weakened and it was left unsupported and spread out sideways under its own weight. Sometimes it looked light coloured, sometimes it looked mottled and dirty with the earth and ash it had carried up. Like a true scholar, my uncle saw at once that it deserved closer study and ordered a boat to be prepared. He said that I could go with him, but I chose to continue my studies.

Just as he was leaving the house, he was handed a message from Rectina, the wife of Tascus, whose home was at the foot of the mountain, and had no way of escape except by boat. She was terrified by the threatening danger and begged him to rescue her. He changed the plan at once and what he had started in a spirit of scientific curiosity he ended as a hero. He ordered the large galleys to be launched and set sail. He steered bravely straight for the danger zone that everyone else was leaving in fear and haste but still kept on noting his observations.
The ash already falling became hotter and thicker as the ships approached the coast and it was soon superseded by pumice and blackened burnt stones shattered by the fire. Suddenly the sea shallowed where the shore was obstructed and choked by debris from the mountain. He wondered whether to turn back, as the captain advised, but decided instead to go on. "Fortune favours the brave", he said, "take me to Pomponianus". Pomponianus lived at Stabiae across the Bay of Naples, which was not yet in danger, but would be threatened if it spread. Pomponianus had already put his belongings into a boat to escape as soon as the contrary onshore wind changed. This wind, of course, was fully in my uncle's favour and quickly brought his boat to Stabiae. My uncle calmed and encouraged his terrified friend and was cheerful, or at least pretended to be, which was just as brave.

After his (uncle's) bath, he laid down and dined; he was quite cheerful, in any case, he pretended that he was such, which made him no less courageous. At the same time, broad leaves of fire appeared on Mount Vesuvius and the flames leaped and flared in several places, their bright light was emphasized by the dark night. My uncle tried to dispel the fears of his companions, repeatedly claiming that it was just the fires left by the peasants at the time of their horror, or fires in empty houses in the areas where they were.

Then he went to rest and, of course, slept, for, since he was fat, his breathing (snoring) was quite loud and heavy and could be heard by people coming and leaving the door.

By this time, the courtyard to his room was full of ash mixed with pumice, so that its level rose, and if he had stayed longer he could never get out.

My uncle was awakened, went out and joined Pomponianus and the rest of the household people who had not slept all night.

Meanwhile, tall broad flames blazed from several places on Vesuvius and glared out through the darkness of the night. My uncle soothed the fears of his companions by saying that they were nothing more than fires left by the terrified peasants, or empty abandoned houses that were blazing. he went to bed and apparently fell asleep, for his loud, heavy breathing was heard by those passing his door. But, eventually, the courtyard outside began to fill with so much ash and pumice that, if he had stayed in his room, he would never have been able to get out. He was awakened and joined Pomponianus and his servants who had sat up all night. They wondered whether to stay indoors or go out into the open, because the buildings were now swaying back and forth and shaking with more violent tremors. Outside, there was the danger from the falling pumice, although it was only light and porous. After weighing up the risks, they chose the open country and tied pillows over their heads with cloths for protection.

My uncle decided to go down to the shore. There, the mat was spread on the ground for my uncle, so that he could lie down. And he repeatedly asked for the cold water that he drank.

Then the flame and the smell of sulfur, which marked the approach of fire, caused others to flee. Excited, my uncle struggled to his feet, leaning on two slaves, but he immediately collapsed. I believe that his breathing was hampered by the thick smoke that blocked his trachea - for it was constitutionally weak and narrow and often inflamed.

And now the ash fell, but at first rarely. Behind us (Pliny the Younger and his mother) is an ominous thick smoke spreading over the earth like a flood, following us. As soon as we agreed what to do, we were shrouded in the night. Only shrill cries of women, crying of children, cries of people were heard. But the darkness brightened, and then, a cloud of smoke dissolved away. It seemed that everything had changed - covered with a thick layer of ash, like after a heavy snowfall.