Pompeii (novel)

Pompeii (novel) is a historical fiction novel written by Robert Harris, published in 2003 by Hutchinson (publisher) in the United Kingdom. The novel is set in the ancient Roman Empire, specifically in the Bay of Naples, and revolves around the events leading up to the infamous Eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, which destroyed the nearby cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The story is heavily influenced by the works of Pliny the Younger and Tacitus, who documented the eruption and its aftermath. The novel has been praised for its historical accuracy and engaging storyline, drawing comparisons to the works of Edward Gibbon and Barry Unsworth.

Background and Inspiration

The idea for Pompeii (novel) was born out of Robert Harris's fascination with the ancient Roman Empire and the Eruption of Mount Vesuvius, which he had studied extensively during his time at Selwyn College, Cambridge. Harris was particularly drawn to the accounts of Pliny the Younger and Tacitus, who provided vivid descriptions of the eruption and its devastating effects on the surrounding cities, including Pompeii and Herculaneum. The novel's protagonist, Marcus Attilius, was inspired by the works of Vitruvius and Frontinus, who wrote about the engineering feats of the ancient Romans, including the construction of aqueducts and roads. Harris's research also took him to the National Archaeological Museum, Naples, where he studied the artifacts and relics from Pompeii and Herculaneum, including the famous Plaster casts of Pompeii.

Plot Summary

The novel follows the story of Marcus Attilius, a young Roman engineer who is tasked with investigating the problems with the Aqua Augusta, a complex system of aqueducts that supplied water to the cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Naples. As Attilius delves deeper into the mystery, he discovers that the aqueducts are in a state of disrepair, and that the nearby Mount Vesuvius is showing signs of increased seismic activity, which is being monitored by the Roman Senate and the Roman Emperor Titus. Attilius's investigation takes him to the Bay of Naples, where he encounters a cast of characters, including the wealthy Roman merchant Pliny the Elder, who is also the uncle of Pliny the Younger, and the beautiful Roman woman Corelia, who is being courted by the Roman aristocrat Popidius. As the story unfolds, Attilius finds himself at the center of a deadly conspiracy, which is linked to the Eruption of Mount Vesuvius and the destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Characters and Themes

The novel features a range of characters, including Marcus Attilius, Pliny the Elder, Corelia, and Popidius, each with their own unique personalities and motivations. The characters are drawn from a range of historical sources, including the works of Tacitus, Suetonius, and Cassius Dio. The novel explores a number of themes, including the dangers of volcanic eruptions, the importance of engineering and infrastructure, and the corrupting influence of power and wealth in ancient Rome. The novel also touches on the Roman mythology and the Roman religion, which played a significant role in the daily lives of the characters. The characters' experiences are set against the backdrop of the Roman Empire under the rule of Roman Emperor Titus, who was known for his Conquest of Jerusalem and his Reign of Terror.

Reception and Criticism

Pompeii (novel) received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, with many reviewers praising the novel's historical accuracy and engaging storyline. The novel was praised by The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Times, among others, and was compared to the works of Edward Gibbon and Barry Unsworth. The novel was also a commercial success, reaching the top of the bestseller lists in the United Kingdom and the United States. However, some reviewers criticized the novel's pacing and character development, with The Washington Post describing the novel as "slow-moving" and "lacking in depth". Despite these criticisms, the novel has been widely praised for its historical accuracy and its ability to bring the ancient Roman Empire to life.

Historical Accuracy

The novel is known for its historical accuracy, with Robert Harris drawing heavily from a range of historical sources, including the works of Pliny the Younger, Tacitus, and Suetonius. The novel's depiction of the Eruption of Mount Vesuvius and the destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum is based on the accounts of Pliny the Younger and Tacitus, who documented the event in detail. The novel also accurately portrays the Roman engineering feats, including the construction of aqueducts and roads, which were a hallmark of the Roman Empire. The novel's attention to historical detail has been praised by historians and archaeologists, including Mary Beard and Neil MacGregor, who have written about the Roman Empire and its legacy. The novel has also been used as a teaching tool in classics and history classes, due to its accurate portrayal of life in ancient Rome. Category:Historical novels