Includes bibliographical references (pages 245-250) and index.

I. Disaster in the shadow of Vesuvius. The volcano -- The eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79 -- Aftermath of the eruption -- The preservation of Pompeii and Herculaneum -- Other sites buried by Vesuvius in AD 79 -- II. Rediscovering Pompeii's buried past. The earliest excavations -- Karl Weber and the Villa of the Papyri -- Work returns to Pompeii -- A period of political turmoil -- The unification of Italy and the impact of Giuseppe Fiorelli -- Developments at the turn of the 20th century -- Amedeo Maiuri and the "nouvi scavi" -- Post-war developments and changes -- III. Birth and growth of a Roman town. The traditional account of Pompeii's origins and development -- Campania before the foundation of Pompeii: the cultural context -- The foundation of Pompeii -- The Romans in the Bay of Naples -- The 1st century BC -- The people of Pompeii. The population of Pompeii -- The social composition of the town -- Death and burial -- The evidence of graffiti and other writings -- Erotic Pompeii -- Women in Pompeii -- V. Life in the public eye. The political structure of Pompeii -- The politics of public building -- Civic buildings in the forum -- Politics and propaganda -- The theatres of Herculaneum and Pompeii -- Gladiatorial games -- The amphitheatre -- Baths and bathing -- VI. Houses and society. The ideal Roman house -- The role of the house in Roman society -- Mosaics -- Wall-painting -- Household artifacts -- Gardens -- VII. Gods temples and cults. Pre-Roman Gods and temples -- Public religion and temples in the Roman period -- The imperial cult -- Public participation in religion -- Mystery religions and "foreign" cults -- Household religion -- VIII. Economic life in a Roman town. Rural territory and agriculture -- Agriculture within the town walls -- Craft and commerce at Pompeii -- Shops and markets -- Bars and inns.

IX. The last years of Pompeii. The impact of the earthquake of AD 63 -- Life in Pompeii AD 63-79.