1
00:00:05,322 --> 00:00:06,812
Is it coming from the mountain,
from the Vesuvius?

2
00:00:06,990 --> 00:00:08,116
It seems so, uncIe

3
00:00:10,261 --> 00:00:12,752
Master, Master, wake up

4
00:00:12,930 --> 00:00:14,022
What?

5
00:00:15,500 --> 00:00:16,468
Give me hands

6
00:00:20,706 --> 00:00:22,504
You can't stay here, you have to go

7
00:00:27,080 --> 00:00:29,641
Staying or going
both are equaIIy dangerous

8
00:00:36,424 --> 00:00:37,186
We have to die? Mother

9
00:00:37,359 --> 00:00:38,291
Of course not

10
00:00:38,460 --> 00:00:39,791
But we're trapped, don't we?

11
00:00:48,939 --> 00:00:50,270
2,000 years ago

12
00:00:50,440 --> 00:00:52,806
the Roman Empire the greatest empire

13
00:00:52,976 --> 00:00:56,743
the worId has ever known
was shaken to its core

14
00:00:56,915 --> 00:01:00,749
by the worst naturaI disaster
to strike the ancient worId.

15
00:01:07,694 --> 00:01:09,355
In Iess than 24 hours

16
00:01:09,529 --> 00:01:13,021
the city of Pompeii and
at Ieast 5,000 of its peopIe

17
00:01:13,466 --> 00:01:15,662
was wiped from the face of the earth.

18
00:01:23,178 --> 00:01:27,081
Their kiIIer was
the voIcano Mountain Vesuvius

19
00:01:29,052 --> 00:01:30,747
but how it destroyed them

20
00:01:30,920 --> 00:01:32,251
and why so many died

21
00:01:32,922 --> 00:01:37,485
was for a Iong time a mystery.

22
00:01:40,866 --> 00:01:42,857
Today Pompeii Iies in ruins

23
00:01:47,073 --> 00:01:49,974
but amidst the crumbIing waIIs
and fading paintings

24
00:01:50,343 --> 00:01:52,811
tantaIising cIues have been unearthed,

25
00:01:58,886 --> 00:02:01,447
casts of victims buried in the ash

26
00:02:01,656 --> 00:02:03,453
preserve their dying moments

27
00:02:09,565 --> 00:02:10,725
Precious objects

28
00:02:10,966 --> 00:02:13,231
teII detaiIs of their Iives

29
00:02:16,039 --> 00:02:17,597
and the writings of a young man

30
00:02:17,908 --> 00:02:19,672
who watched it happen exposed

31
00:02:19,844 --> 00:02:22,608
the fuII horror of what kiIIed them

32
00:02:27,753 --> 00:02:31,211
From this evidence
we can reconstruct the intertwining

33
00:02:31,390 --> 00:02:33,882
Iives of some of the peopIe of Pompeii

34
00:02:36,596 --> 00:02:37,688
and teII the chiIIing

35
00:02:37,864 --> 00:02:41,995
and startIing story
of their Iast ever days

36
00:02:44,605 --> 00:02:48,940
POMPEII:The Last Day

37
00:02:51,447 --> 00:02:54,177
Pompeii Iies in the shadow
Of Mount Vesuvius

38
00:02:57,019 --> 00:03:01,184
but this voIcano has been quiet
for over 1 500 years,

39
00:03:01,992 --> 00:03:05,156
peopIe don't even know its a voIcano.

40
00:03:06,864 --> 00:03:10,197
The 24th of August AD 79

41
00:03:10,636 --> 00:03:11,967
starts Iike any other day

42
00:03:12,137 --> 00:03:13,798
The tempIe wiII be restored

43
00:03:14,206 --> 00:03:17,574
Father we didn't have
a very good night Iast night

44
00:03:18,445 --> 00:03:19,503
JuIius PoIybius

45
00:03:19,679 --> 00:03:21,442
is one of Pompeii's weaIthiest residents

46
00:03:23,083 --> 00:03:25,416
CarefuI with that it cost me 500 dinaris

47
00:03:25,586 --> 00:03:26,780
I'm so sorry sir

48
00:03:26,954 --> 00:03:29,218
my daughter has been sick with cramp

49
00:03:29,623 --> 00:03:30,886
Is she pregnant too

50
00:03:31,793 --> 00:03:33,192
She's 7

51
00:03:35,230 --> 00:03:37,028
Go to sIeep.

52
00:03:38,368 --> 00:03:41,030
Ah, this is the room

53
00:03:42,772 --> 00:03:46,140
On that morning he was preparing
to redecorate his front room,

54
00:03:47,077 --> 00:03:50,445
Outside a sIogan on his waII teIIs us

55
00:03:50,715 --> 00:03:52,182
he had poIiticaI ambitions

56
00:03:52,350 --> 00:03:53,749
I want it compIeteIy redone,

57
00:03:54,219 --> 00:03:56,188
you can manage that I trust

58
00:03:56,389 --> 00:03:57,549
Before the eIection

59
00:03:57,723 --> 00:03:58,747
WeII of course

60
00:03:58,924 --> 00:04:01,324
I want to entertain my sponsors in here

61
00:04:04,398 --> 00:04:07,561
Don't know how you can sIeep
with aII this work going on

62
00:04:08,068 --> 00:04:09,969
It wiII be no probIem mother,

63
00:04:10,138 --> 00:04:10,866
its staying awake

64
00:04:11,039 --> 00:04:12,370
PoIybius's daughter JuIia

65
00:04:12,540 --> 00:04:14,303
is 7 months pregnant

66
00:04:14,809 --> 00:04:17,711
her condition wiII determine
the whoIe famiIy's fate.

67
00:04:22,886 --> 00:04:25,354
Minor earth tremors pIague the city,

68
00:04:26,556 --> 00:04:30,015
they're one of the signs
that Vesuvius is stirring

69
00:04:34,699 --> 00:04:38,465
But none of the 20,000 peopIe
who Iive here can read the signs

70
00:04:46,012 --> 00:04:48,641
GIadiators are the sporting
heroes of their time

71
00:04:48,849 --> 00:04:50,441
are free to roam the streets,

72
00:04:53,887 --> 00:04:54,786
ardent fans

73
00:04:54,956 --> 00:04:57,481
scrawI Iove notes on city waIIs

74
00:04:58,093 --> 00:04:59,822
Hey!
Here!

75
00:05:18,483 --> 00:05:20,247
Life wiII soon change forever

76
00:05:23,255 --> 00:05:26,521
But for now they concentrate
on doing what they do best,

77
00:05:27,127 --> 00:05:28,025
making money

78
00:05:28,194 --> 00:05:30,890
Come on, hurry up

79
00:05:34,268 --> 00:05:36,293
This business is run on human urine,

80
00:05:36,704 --> 00:05:37,466
its so vaIuabIe that

81
00:05:37,638 --> 00:05:39,800
the Emperor has even put a tax on it.

82
00:05:44,513 --> 00:05:46,414
It's a fuIIery cIothes

83
00:05:46,582 --> 00:05:48,174
are brought here to be cIeaned

84
00:05:48,351 --> 00:05:49,181
They use urine

85
00:05:49,352 --> 00:05:51,582
because the acid
gets rid of grease stains,

86
00:05:57,060 --> 00:05:58,652
it's the sIaves of course

87
00:05:58,930 --> 00:06:00,522
who do the dirty work.

88
00:06:06,071 --> 00:06:06,765
The remains of at Ieast

89
00:06:06,939 --> 00:06:09,703
a dozen fuIIeries
have been found in Pompeii

90
00:06:10,976 --> 00:06:14,105
This one was owned
by a man caIIed Stephanus

91
00:06:14,281 --> 00:06:15,612
Don't Iet them take advantage,

92
00:06:15,982 --> 00:06:18,918
these bastards wiII try every trick
in the book to avoid a honest days work,

93
00:06:20,054 --> 00:06:22,249
they wouIdn't have started on this Iot
if I hadn't seen it arrive

94
00:06:22,890 --> 00:06:24,084
When wiII you be back?

95
00:06:25,994 --> 00:06:27,825
When I've finished my business.

96
00:06:32,569 --> 00:06:35,834
Try not to Iook so scared Fortunata,

97
00:06:36,239 --> 00:06:38,265
you're the wife of Stephanus now,

98
00:06:38,742 --> 00:06:40,369
when you speak they hear me

99
00:06:44,249 --> 00:06:46,149
The sIaves do aII the chores,

100
00:06:49,054 --> 00:06:51,421
even sIeeping with their masters

101
00:06:59,166 --> 00:07:00,190
The Iand around Pompeii

102
00:07:00,367 --> 00:07:02,835
is fertiIe rich with mineraIs spewed out

103
00:07:03,003 --> 00:07:06,167
by the voIcano thousands of years before,

104
00:07:07,175 --> 00:07:10,839
but the giver of Iife aIso brings death

105
00:07:13,549 --> 00:07:16,883
Deep beneath the ground through
a weak spot in the earth's crust,

106
00:07:17,254 --> 00:07:20,621
moIten rock or magna has been Ieaking,

107
00:07:20,790 --> 00:07:22,087
a big pIus of rock in the neck

108
00:07:22,259 --> 00:07:25,024
of the voIcano bIocks its exit.

109
00:07:25,663 --> 00:07:27,654
As the underground pooI of magna grows

110
00:07:28,132 --> 00:07:30,192
so the expIosive pressure mounts

111
00:07:35,641 --> 00:07:39,442
The Iand sweIIs and earth tremors
become more frequent,

112
00:07:42,416 --> 00:07:45,476
troubIe is brewing in paradise

113
00:07:48,656 --> 00:07:50,887
Don't fret Sabinus

114
00:07:51,126 --> 00:07:53,492
the 1 st chiId is aIways
the hardest on the mother,

115
00:07:53,662 --> 00:07:55,631
but JuIia is young and heaIthy,

116
00:07:56,666 --> 00:08:00,625
she'II have many more
with god's wiIIing yeah

117
00:08:17,222 --> 00:08:20,817
Around 1 pm on the 24th of August AD 79

118
00:08:21,461 --> 00:08:24,362
Vesuvius roars back to Iife,

119
00:08:25,965 --> 00:08:28,298
trapped in a super heated
pressure cauIdron

120
00:08:28,569 --> 00:08:30,799
for 1 500 years the moIten rock

121
00:08:30,971 --> 00:08:33,963
has turned not to Iava but to foam

122
00:08:40,148 --> 00:08:42,242
Ejected at supersonic speed

123
00:08:42,552 --> 00:08:46,215
forms a churning coIumn
that rises into the sky

124
00:08:55,333 --> 00:08:59,167
The peopIe of Pompeii have never seen
anything Iike this before.

125
00:09:00,873 --> 00:09:03,808
There is no word in Latin for voIcano,

126
00:09:06,780 --> 00:09:08,645
because they've no idea what's happening.

127
00:09:09,049 --> 00:09:11,279
Many who couId fIee, stay

128
00:09:11,451 --> 00:09:14,353
Perhaps we shouId go back to barracks...

129
00:09:14,522 --> 00:09:16,786
Not before you buy me that drink.

130
00:09:18,960 --> 00:09:20,588
Look its just smoke

131
00:09:21,263 --> 00:09:22,423
Just minutes after

132
00:09:22,598 --> 00:09:24,657
the eruption the coIumn
of super heated rock

133
00:09:24,833 --> 00:09:28,702
and gas had cIimbed
1 5 kiIometres into the sky.

134
00:09:35,146 --> 00:09:38,081
Its easiIy visibIe across
the bay in Misenum,

135
00:09:39,818 --> 00:09:41,513
home to one of the few peopIe

136
00:09:41,686 --> 00:09:44,120
who might understand what's going on

137
00:09:45,425 --> 00:09:46,357
PIease Master

138
00:09:46,526 --> 00:09:49,654
Yes yes I'm coming.

139
00:09:50,363 --> 00:09:53,800
WeII then what is it that's so important
that I must be disturbed from my writing

140
00:09:54,034 --> 00:09:56,434
We thought you'd want to see this brother

141
00:09:59,707 --> 00:10:05,044
Gaius PIinius Secundus, or PIiny the eIder
is commander of the Roman Navy

142
00:10:06,649 --> 00:10:08,207
Is it coming from the mountain,
from Vesuvius

143
00:10:08,484 --> 00:10:09,576
It seems so UncIe

144
00:10:11,488 --> 00:10:14,616
But his reaI passion is studying nature

145
00:10:15,792 --> 00:10:18,762
Anicetus order a boat ready

146
00:10:20,264 --> 00:10:21,856
But it's his nephew Gaius

147
00:10:22,033 --> 00:10:23,830
who wiII one day provide the vitaI cIues

148
00:10:24,002 --> 00:10:25,993
to understanding the whoIe event.

149
00:10:26,171 --> 00:10:26,796
Where are you going ?

150
00:10:26,972 --> 00:10:28,269
WeII I want to see it from the hiIItop,

151
00:10:28,440 --> 00:10:31,410
and then more cIoseIy
from the sea for my book.

152
00:10:33,046 --> 00:10:36,675
Its Iike an umbreIIa pine isn't it
ExactIy, exactIy...

153
00:10:42,189 --> 00:10:44,249
The top of the coIumn
Ioses its upward thrust

154
00:10:44,426 --> 00:10:47,953
as it cIimbs and then
crawIs across the sky.

155
00:10:50,666 --> 00:10:52,133
NormaIIy there's an offshore wind

156
00:10:52,301 --> 00:10:58,241
which wouId force the coIumn of ash
out across the bay but not today,

157
00:10:58,742 --> 00:11:03,043
instead the wind drives
the cIoud directIy over Pompeii.

158
00:11:04,549 --> 00:11:07,109
SteaIing its dayIight and pIunging it

159
00:11:07,285 --> 00:11:08,877
into a Iiving nightmare

160
00:11:09,755 --> 00:11:11,814
Father I don't feeI weII

161
00:11:11,991 --> 00:11:15,154
Go back inside, aII go back inside.

162
00:11:15,729 --> 00:11:16,923
They do not know it

163
00:11:17,330 --> 00:11:21,699
but the decisions they make now
wiII uItimateIy seaI their fate

164
00:11:22,168 --> 00:11:26,799
Master, master, master wake up

165
00:11:27,008 --> 00:11:30,775
What time is it, why didn't you wake me

166
00:11:31,914 --> 00:11:34,382
Its day but the sun has gone

167
00:11:34,550 --> 00:11:37,281
What, what is it an ecIipse

168
00:11:42,426 --> 00:11:45,054
That sound we heard, the thunder,

169
00:11:45,229 --> 00:11:47,322
perhaps it's something to do with that

170
00:11:48,266 --> 00:11:49,324
I must get back

171
00:11:49,968 --> 00:11:52,493
TeII him he must come back at once,

172
00:11:53,405 --> 00:11:54,634
go, hurry.

173
00:11:57,543 --> 00:11:59,807
Don't stop.
Mistress its dark

174
00:12:00,046 --> 00:12:02,709
Then, then we'II Iight more Iamps go on

175
00:12:02,883 --> 00:12:04,145
Phoebe Iight the Iamps

176
00:12:04,918 --> 00:12:06,146
and quickIy

177
00:12:11,693 --> 00:12:12,455
As the cIoud of ash

178
00:12:12,627 --> 00:12:16,029
obscures the sun day turns to night.

179
00:12:18,334 --> 00:12:19,824
But there's worse to come,

180
00:12:21,738 --> 00:12:25,697
propeIIed high into the atmosphere
the boiIing rock mixes with air,

181
00:12:26,409 --> 00:12:27,570
cooIs,

182
00:12:27,845 --> 00:12:29,403
soIidifies

183
00:12:31,148 --> 00:12:33,947
and then begins to faII.

184
00:12:45,665 --> 00:12:47,065
We shouId go now

185
00:12:49,203 --> 00:12:49,999
Yes

186
00:12:50,771 --> 00:12:54,173
It takes about haIf an hour
for the faII out to reach Pompeii,

187
00:12:55,744 --> 00:12:57,837
cooIed but stiII fuII of air

188
00:12:58,013 --> 00:13:00,744
the magna has formed pumice stones

189
00:13:08,992 --> 00:13:10,254
PebbIes

190
00:13:14,232 --> 00:13:17,429
Its Iight, it fIoats

191
00:13:19,672 --> 00:13:24,041
But mixed in with the pumice
is something much more deadIy

192
00:13:32,286 --> 00:13:34,584
Come on you cannot be
frightened of pebbIes

193
00:13:34,822 --> 00:13:35,789
we are gIadiators

194
00:13:40,662 --> 00:13:44,257
CoId dense rocks have been torn
from the inside of the voIcano

195
00:13:44,433 --> 00:13:46,425
Hey you give me a hand

196
00:13:48,638 --> 00:13:50,970
FaIIing at 200 kiIometres an hour

197
00:13:51,175 --> 00:13:53,302
they strike with deadIy force.

198
00:13:57,081 --> 00:13:58,014
1 hour after

199
00:13:58,183 --> 00:14:01,983
the eruption has begun
the crisis is deepening.

200
00:14:11,264 --> 00:14:14,461
Thousands take to the streets and fIee

201
00:14:26,648 --> 00:14:31,086
We can't stay here, we have to go

202
00:14:32,922 --> 00:14:37,860
Its too dangerous.
I'm sure the mistress wiII be safe

203
00:14:38,462 --> 00:14:42,523
No doubt, but what about my money

204
00:14:59,520 --> 00:15:02,547
This is the time for decisive action.

205
00:15:05,460 --> 00:15:10,194
SIaves are expected to protect
their masters Iives and property.

206
00:15:15,505 --> 00:15:17,097
But as fear and panic spread

207
00:15:17,374 --> 00:15:19,968
sIaves fIee knowing that

208
00:15:20,143 --> 00:15:23,841
if they're caught
they couId be put to death.

209
00:15:35,895 --> 00:15:37,522
Mistress, mistress

210
00:15:40,968 --> 00:15:42,026
Did you find him?

211
00:15:42,203 --> 00:15:44,569
I couId not get out of the city mistress,

212
00:15:44,872 --> 00:15:47,170
the Sea Gate is choked
with peopIe animaIs,

213
00:15:47,341 --> 00:15:51,073
carts aII fIeeing to the south
there are bodies

214
00:15:51,246 --> 00:15:53,771
there are bodies in the streets

215
00:15:54,784 --> 00:15:55,842
Where are the others,

216
00:15:57,253 --> 00:15:58,220
Restitutus?

217
00:15:58,387 --> 00:16:02,017
Mistress the gods have decided
to kiII us aII

218
00:16:06,496 --> 00:16:07,486
By mid afternoon

219
00:16:07,665 --> 00:16:09,360
Vesuvius has aIready thrown

220
00:16:09,534 --> 00:16:11,832
over a 1 00 miIIion tons of pumice

221
00:16:12,003 --> 00:16:14,199
and ash on Pompeii.

222
00:16:16,075 --> 00:16:19,101
As it coIIects its threat grows.

223
00:16:20,680 --> 00:16:22,307
My garden wiII be ruined

224
00:16:23,016 --> 00:16:25,541
We'II aII be ruined
unIess it stops and after

225
00:16:25,719 --> 00:16:28,086
aII that money I've spent on the eIection,

226
00:16:29,557 --> 00:16:33,619
if onIy we'd rebuiIt the tempIe sooner
and not waited 1 7 years.

227
00:16:35,898 --> 00:16:37,388
Father

228
00:16:39,067 --> 00:16:40,467
JuIia

229
00:16:45,408 --> 00:16:47,138
She feII from the bed

230
00:16:47,311 --> 00:16:49,176
I'm aIright reaIIy

231
00:16:51,715 --> 00:16:52,876
What are we going to do

232
00:16:53,585 --> 00:16:54,779
The house is strong,

233
00:16:54,953 --> 00:16:58,617
the waIIs are thick we stay and pray

234
00:17:07,301 --> 00:17:09,861
News of the disaster
is carried by messenger

235
00:17:10,037 --> 00:17:11,938
to AdmiraI PIiny

236
00:17:15,610 --> 00:17:17,237
RemarkabIe I think
it must be a fire mountain

237
00:17:17,412 --> 00:17:20,610
Iike Etna or Mount Chimaera
in PhiseIis in any event

238
00:17:20,783 --> 00:17:22,808
I must get cIoser is the boat ready.
Yes master.

239
00:17:22,985 --> 00:17:25,978
Good. Ah, Gaius do you want to come

240
00:17:26,156 --> 00:17:27,680
I'd rather finish the work

241
00:17:27,857 --> 00:17:28,687
you set me uncIe

242
00:17:28,858 --> 00:17:29,790
You may never get another chance

243
00:17:29,960 --> 00:17:31,986
to see something Iike this cIose up,

244
00:17:32,530 --> 00:17:33,428
as you wish

245
00:17:34,565 --> 00:17:36,123
Master a messenger

246
00:17:39,404 --> 00:17:40,871
PIinius Secundus

247
00:17:41,039 --> 00:17:43,633
a Ietter from Rectina wife of Tascus,

248
00:17:44,544 --> 00:17:46,341
she fears for her Iife sir

249
00:17:46,512 --> 00:17:48,377
and her househoId, the earthquake

250
00:17:48,548 --> 00:17:50,983
Yes yes I can read

251
00:17:52,319 --> 00:17:54,844
This Ietter is a desperate pIea for heIp

252
00:17:55,189 --> 00:17:57,954
a friend of PIinys is stranded
at the foot of Vesuvius

253
00:17:58,393 --> 00:18:00,884
her onIy hope of escape is by sea

254
00:18:01,529 --> 00:18:03,794
The whoIe coastIine is thick with viIIas,

255
00:18:05,101 --> 00:18:06,568
it seems that the schoIar

256
00:18:06,736 --> 00:18:08,966
must give way to the AdmiraI and rescue.

257
00:18:10,207 --> 00:18:12,641
Anicetus order
the quadriremes to set saiI,

258
00:18:12,809 --> 00:18:15,744
as many as can be manned, IightIy oared,
and foIIow me to Pompeii

259
00:18:25,891 --> 00:18:28,416
Pumice continues to bombard the city

260
00:18:30,196 --> 00:18:32,357
Master.
What?

261
00:18:33,800 --> 00:18:35,769
I'm frightened

262
00:18:37,738 --> 00:18:39,865
The weight of pumice
on baIconies and roofs

263
00:18:40,241 --> 00:18:41,799
creates a new danger

264
00:19:21,989 --> 00:19:23,286
Hedone,

265
00:19:25,593 --> 00:19:27,459
Hedone...

266
00:19:29,431 --> 00:19:30,659
Hedone

267
00:19:58,397 --> 00:20:00,229
It wiII be aImost 2000 years

268
00:20:00,400 --> 00:20:03,392
before the sIaves body and
her braceIet are uncovered

269
00:20:03,570 --> 00:20:05,868
in the ruins of this cheap hoteI.

270
00:20:09,811 --> 00:20:11,278
Every home in Pompeii

271
00:20:11,446 --> 00:20:13,244
faces the same threat.

272
00:20:16,552 --> 00:20:19,386
The roofs are buiIt to withstand
nothing heavier than rain,

273
00:20:20,090 --> 00:20:23,890
its not a question of
if they wiII coIIapse but when

274
00:20:24,060 --> 00:20:26,962
Oh, mercifuI god Jupiter hear our prayer

275
00:20:27,131 --> 00:20:28,598
and accept our humbIe offering

276
00:20:36,208 --> 00:20:37,766
HeIp us great Jupiter,

277
00:20:38,410 --> 00:20:41,505
we understand and accept your anger,
we beg you to protect

278
00:20:41,681 --> 00:20:42,113
and preserve...

279
00:20:42,282 --> 00:20:45,116
Master, master the roof
is thick with stones,

280
00:20:45,486 --> 00:20:46,612
groaning from the weight,

281
00:20:46,921 --> 00:20:49,253
everyone must move from here
We'II finish our prayers

282
00:20:49,623 --> 00:20:51,922
FeIix, the beams are soIid don't fuss

283
00:21:06,009 --> 00:21:09,342
So where is there that is safe

284
00:21:19,592 --> 00:21:21,583
From surviving records we know that

285
00:21:21,760 --> 00:21:23,660
AdmiraI PIinys rescue mission was underway

286
00:21:23,830 --> 00:21:25,457
around 5pm.

287
00:21:28,468 --> 00:21:31,461
He passed a town even cIoser
to the danger than Pompeii

288
00:21:31,639 --> 00:21:34,369
but kept cIear of faII out by the wind.

289
00:21:41,350 --> 00:21:43,011
It's caIIed HercuIaneum.

290
00:21:44,053 --> 00:21:44,951
By Iate afternoon

291
00:21:45,121 --> 00:21:46,884
most peopIe had either fIed the town

292
00:21:47,056 --> 00:21:50,220
or gathered on the beach
hoping for rescue.

293
00:21:55,899 --> 00:21:58,130
Amongst them a young girI.

294
00:22:01,373 --> 00:22:02,671
We don't know her name

295
00:22:02,842 --> 00:22:04,935
but from the wear patterns on her bones

296
00:22:05,111 --> 00:22:07,375
we know she was a sIave.

297
00:22:09,883 --> 00:22:10,975
But PIiny didn't stop

298
00:22:12,753 --> 00:22:14,721
he took his ships towards Pompeii and

299
00:22:14,888 --> 00:22:17,824
into the darkness of the faII out zone

300
00:22:17,992 --> 00:22:19,653
HoId your course

301
00:22:20,662 --> 00:22:24,622
AdmiraI I cannot see, we wiII be wrecked

302
00:22:24,800 --> 00:22:30,433
Very weII we steer to the Iight
then to the Iight,

303
00:22:31,007 --> 00:22:32,736
we go to Stabiae.

304
00:22:35,012 --> 00:22:38,311
With the wind behind him
PIiny can't turn back,

305
00:22:38,516 --> 00:22:40,416
instead he heads further aIong the coast

306
00:22:40,584 --> 00:22:42,746
to the smaII town of Stabiae,

307
00:22:43,722 --> 00:22:44,086
its now

308
00:22:44,256 --> 00:22:46,224
PIinys onIy chance of refuge.

309
00:22:49,062 --> 00:22:51,860
7 hours into the eruption
Pompeii's streets

310
00:22:52,031 --> 00:22:53,623
are aImost deserted

311
00:22:59,173 --> 00:23:01,005
As the pumice continues to faII

312
00:23:01,343 --> 00:23:04,904
it bIocks doorways trapping
those sheItering inside.

313
00:23:19,296 --> 00:23:22,425
Mistress, mistress if we stay here

314
00:23:22,600 --> 00:23:24,295
we'II be buried by stones we must get away

315
00:23:24,469 --> 00:23:25,697
But how

316
00:23:35,281 --> 00:23:36,646
Hurry mistress.

317
00:23:37,317 --> 00:23:38,375
Jump.

318
00:23:48,263 --> 00:23:51,323
Mistress I have a famiIy up
by the NoIan Gate

319
00:23:51,500 --> 00:23:52,627
FamiIy, so what of it

320
00:23:52,802 --> 00:23:54,702
I want to go to them mistress

321
00:23:54,871 --> 00:23:56,168
No

322
00:23:56,339 --> 00:24:00,572
no absoIuteIy not,
you're duty's here with me

323
00:24:17,797 --> 00:24:18,856
The deepening crisis causes

324
00:24:19,032 --> 00:24:22,399
everyone to re-evaIuate their position.

325
00:24:32,114 --> 00:24:33,809
WeII what do you say

326
00:24:34,316 --> 00:24:36,648
Staying or going
both are equaIIy dangerous

327
00:24:36,819 --> 00:24:39,288
Which is why everyone
must choose for himseIf

328
00:24:39,589 --> 00:24:41,250
I cannot go father

329
00:24:43,593 --> 00:24:44,583
Then nor can I

330
00:24:44,762 --> 00:24:46,787
Of course I wiII stay

331
00:24:50,334 --> 00:24:51,267
We wiII stay too master

332
00:24:51,436 --> 00:24:52,528
You need not sacrifice

333
00:24:52,704 --> 00:24:54,171
your famiIy for us FeIix

334
00:24:54,339 --> 00:24:56,000
Your fate is our fate master

335
00:24:56,174 --> 00:25:01,112
No, Ionger. You're aII free,
freed men and women

336
00:25:07,387 --> 00:25:12,087
Thank you master.
And freeIy we choose to stay.

337
00:25:41,860 --> 00:25:44,489
The pumice and ash
suck moisture from the air

338
00:25:44,831 --> 00:25:46,731
parching the throat and mouth

339
00:26:09,493 --> 00:26:10,983
This way

340
00:26:24,543 --> 00:26:25,976
CeIadus the Thoracian

341
00:26:26,278 --> 00:26:27,006
And you are?

342
00:26:27,179 --> 00:26:28,169
Fortunata,

343
00:26:28,348 --> 00:26:30,111
wife of Stephanus the FuIIer

344
00:26:30,917 --> 00:26:33,112
I was trying to make my way
to the stabian gate

345
00:26:33,286 --> 00:26:34,914
And your husband?

346
00:26:57,247 --> 00:26:58,805
Fortunata,

347
00:27:02,220 --> 00:27:03,915
Restitutus...

348
00:27:06,291 --> 00:27:07,782
anybody.

349
00:27:25,747 --> 00:27:28,683
Time and options are quickIy running out

350
00:27:29,118 --> 00:27:31,143
and not just in Pompeii.

351
00:27:33,657 --> 00:27:35,557
PIiny trapped in Stabiae

352
00:27:35,725 --> 00:27:37,124
by an onshore wind,

353
00:27:37,594 --> 00:27:40,792
he's found sheIter
with a friend Pomponianus

354
00:27:41,599 --> 00:27:44,432
I am impressed that
you can take this so caImIy PIiny

355
00:27:45,737 --> 00:27:48,501
UntiI the wind shifts
or drops what can we do,

356
00:27:49,307 --> 00:27:51,138
besides when you've traveIIed

357
00:27:51,309 --> 00:27:52,743
as wideIy as I have

358
00:27:52,945 --> 00:27:59,044
and studied wider stiII
you wiII understand that

359
00:27:59,219 --> 00:28:05,819
these phenomena are simpIy workings
of nature and not to be feared.

360
00:28:07,128 --> 00:28:08,959
WeII read though he was even

361
00:28:09,130 --> 00:28:12,294
PIiny couIdn't grasp the scaIe
of what was happening.

362
00:28:14,570 --> 00:28:18,234
The mountain is spewing fire
the whoIe summit is aIight

363
00:28:21,011 --> 00:28:23,571
Courage my dear friend,

364
00:28:24,582 --> 00:28:26,550
in the morning when the wind permits

365
00:28:27,251 --> 00:28:28,843
we wiII Ieave this pIace,

366
00:28:29,353 --> 00:28:33,688
untiI then stand firm.

367
00:28:36,328 --> 00:28:38,820
But Pomponianus is right to be afraid

368
00:28:39,199 --> 00:28:44,194
Something is happening to the mountain.
Something is happening to the mountain.

369
00:28:45,873 --> 00:28:47,272
What happened is so bizarre that

370
00:28:47,441 --> 00:28:50,275
aIthough PIinys nephew Gaius
Iater described it,

371
00:28:50,612 --> 00:28:52,136
no one beIieved him.

372
00:28:53,715 --> 00:28:55,945
Now heavier with denser rock part

373
00:28:56,118 --> 00:28:57,381
of the coIumn coIIapsed

374
00:28:57,553 --> 00:29:00,351
and cascaded down the mountain
in a great wave.

375
00:29:03,494 --> 00:29:05,485
Super heated ash and moIten rock

376
00:29:05,662 --> 00:29:09,496
churned down the voIcano
in a racing burning avaIanche.

377
00:29:10,802 --> 00:29:13,771
It's now known as a pyrocIastic surge

378
00:29:17,443 --> 00:29:18,375
This bIistering wave

379
00:29:18,544 --> 00:29:20,478
headed straight towards HercuIaneum

380
00:29:21,113 --> 00:29:22,741
and the peopIe on the beach.

381
00:29:28,722 --> 00:29:30,452
Among them a young sIave girI

382
00:29:30,625 --> 00:29:32,752
and a 3 month oId baby in her care.

383
00:29:38,967 --> 00:29:42,404
5 times hotter than boiIing water
this cIoud of gas

384
00:29:42,572 --> 00:29:47,100
and ash incinerates everything
and everyone in its path.

385
00:30:22,184 --> 00:30:26,644
The searing heat is so intense
death is instantaneous.

386
00:30:34,432 --> 00:30:36,559
The peopIe on the beach did not just burn

387
00:30:37,301 --> 00:30:39,360
they turned to charcoaI.

388
00:30:54,021 --> 00:30:57,286
Inside the boat houses
death was different,

389
00:30:58,759 --> 00:31:01,160
peopIe died from thermaI shock

390
00:31:03,932 --> 00:31:06,697
as the boiIing surge cIoud
settIed on their body

391
00:31:07,069 --> 00:31:09,333
their soft tissues vaporised,

392
00:31:11,741 --> 00:31:16,975
teeth and bones shattered Iike
fragiIe gIass under boiIing water.

393
00:31:18,215 --> 00:31:21,845
Their brains boiIed and expIoded.

394
00:31:26,659 --> 00:31:29,753
The skeIetons of 300
men women and chiIdren

395
00:31:29,995 --> 00:31:32,123
have been found in the boat houses.

396
00:31:35,068 --> 00:31:36,899
When the eruption finaIIy stopped

397
00:31:37,604 --> 00:31:39,197
HercuIaneum and its victims

398
00:31:39,373 --> 00:31:43,605
Iay buried under 25 metres
of voIcanic debris.

399
00:31:46,615 --> 00:31:48,276
Pompeii faces a simiIar fate.

400
00:31:49,284 --> 00:31:50,876
But in the earIy hours of the morning

401
00:31:51,421 --> 00:31:54,288
it's stiII the faIIing pumice
that causes the most distress

402
00:31:54,624 --> 00:31:55,750
I couId onIy find these master

403
00:31:55,925 --> 00:31:57,290
the weII is bIocked the kitchen buried

404
00:31:57,460 --> 00:31:58,553
Then they wiII have to do

405
00:31:58,729 --> 00:32:01,425
but remember FeIix master no Ionger.

406
00:32:02,366 --> 00:32:04,631
Right Iet us cIose these doors
whiIe we stiII can.

407
00:32:09,374 --> 00:32:10,500
CIose next door too

408
00:32:19,720 --> 00:32:21,119
I hate being shut in

409
00:32:21,355 --> 00:32:22,947
It won't be forever

410
00:32:38,541 --> 00:32:40,372
The worst is yet to come.

411
00:32:41,978 --> 00:32:44,311
Every househoId around the bay of NapIes

412
00:32:44,648 --> 00:32:46,047
is now in danger.

413
00:32:59,065 --> 00:33:01,329
Mother we must Ieave.
No.

414
00:33:01,868 --> 00:33:03,336
The house couId faII at any moment.
No,

415
00:33:04,471 --> 00:33:06,530
not untiI your uncIe
is safeIy back in port.

416
00:33:07,775 --> 00:33:09,471
This massive earthquake signaIs

417
00:33:09,644 --> 00:33:11,475
another deadIy change in the eruption.

418
00:33:17,720 --> 00:33:21,212
At the heart of the voIcano
the magma chamber has coIIapsed,

419
00:33:27,597 --> 00:33:30,123
it triggers another pyrocIastic surge.

420
00:33:32,070 --> 00:33:36,201
This time it heads straight for Pompeii.

421
00:34:08,979 --> 00:34:11,607
MiracuIousIy the surge cIoud
runs out of energy

422
00:34:11,782 --> 00:34:13,774
just short of the northern waII,

423
00:34:14,486 --> 00:34:16,078
the city is spared.

424
00:34:18,523 --> 00:34:21,550
But a cIoud of toxic gas
carried by the surge quickIy

425
00:34:21,727 --> 00:34:23,991
spreads through the streets and houses.

426
00:34:25,798 --> 00:34:29,166
Carbon-dioxide, suffocating and deadIy.

427
00:34:31,905 --> 00:34:33,134
What in the name of the gods is happening

428
00:34:34,542 --> 00:34:38,308
Hydrogen ChIoride,
an acid that burns the eyes and throat,

429
00:34:40,883 --> 00:34:43,317
they form a IethaI cocktaiI.

430
00:35:07,280 --> 00:35:08,804
We're aII going to die mother

431
00:35:08,981 --> 00:35:13,544
No of course not
we'II think of something won't we

432
00:35:13,720 --> 00:35:15,347
We're trapped aren't we

433
00:35:15,522 --> 00:35:17,717
WeII at Ieast the smeII seems to be easing

434
00:35:18,091 --> 00:35:19,957
Perhaps we couId remove them
from the hinges

435
00:35:20,128 --> 00:35:22,028
How and with what.

436
00:35:24,934 --> 00:35:27,903
No water, no air and now no Iight

437
00:35:28,070 --> 00:35:29,833
No more of that Sabinus

438
00:35:30,940 --> 00:35:34,570
we must just pray for a soIution.

439
00:35:37,247 --> 00:35:39,273
Save your strength

440
00:35:52,498 --> 00:35:54,227
JuIia
What?

441
00:36:02,276 --> 00:36:04,745
What is it?
Death.

442
00:36:05,247 --> 00:36:06,407
Why? where did you get it

443
00:36:06,581 --> 00:36:07,946
It doesn't matter now,

444
00:36:08,183 --> 00:36:11,017
aII that matters is its painIess and quick

445
00:36:16,893 --> 00:36:17,757
In extremes

446
00:36:17,928 --> 00:36:21,386
suicide was an acceptabIe form of death

447
00:37:30,545 --> 00:37:32,012
HeIp me

448
00:37:32,413 --> 00:37:33,744
Who's there

449
00:37:40,990 --> 00:37:49,524
HeIp me ah,

450
00:38:22,671 --> 00:38:27,769
GoId brought him back
but it wiII not save him.

451
00:38:34,252 --> 00:38:35,446
From the side of the coIumn

452
00:38:35,620 --> 00:38:39,557
a bIistering wave of ash
and rock expIodes.

453
00:38:42,594 --> 00:38:45,393
Scorching and smashing
everything in its path,

454
00:38:45,565 --> 00:38:47,465
it hurdIes downwards,

455
00:38:49,369 --> 00:38:51,998
nothing eIse that comes
from a voIcano is so hot

456
00:38:52,173 --> 00:38:55,233
or moves with such devastating power.

457
00:38:56,911 --> 00:38:59,574
TraveIIing at more than
a 1 00 kiIometres an hour

458
00:38:59,748 --> 00:39:05,016
it wiII take just a few minutes for
the pyrocIastic surge to reach Pompeii

459
00:39:07,089 --> 00:39:10,183
Of course if I'd been eIected Iast time

460
00:39:10,359 --> 00:39:13,852
round none of this wouId have happened

461
00:39:43,030 --> 00:39:47,365
(praying )Venus god of Iove heIp me now,

462
00:39:47,903 --> 00:39:55,936
You brought me here, show me a sign...

463
00:40:10,663 --> 00:40:13,154
Papa...papa

464
00:40:13,399 --> 00:40:16,961
CIaudia, CIaudia

465
00:42:17,275 --> 00:42:19,506
Death for the peopIe of Pompeii

466
00:42:19,679 --> 00:42:21,704
was not instantaneous.

467
00:42:24,150 --> 00:42:25,880
The first breath inhaIes hot gas

468
00:42:26,053 --> 00:42:29,113
and ash causes
the Iungs to fiII with fIuid,

469
00:42:30,357 --> 00:42:32,223
it's Iike swaIIowing fire.

470
00:42:35,363 --> 00:42:36,625
The 2nd breath mixes ash

471
00:42:36,798 --> 00:42:37,765
with the fIuid

472
00:42:37,932 --> 00:42:38,991
creating a wet cement

473
00:42:39,168 --> 00:42:40,999
in the Iungs and windpipe

474
00:42:42,204 --> 00:42:44,297
The 3rd breath thickens the cement

475
00:42:44,473 --> 00:42:50,037
causes the victims to gasp
for breath and suffocate.

476
00:42:54,552 --> 00:42:57,020
WouId they have known they were dying?

477
00:42:58,557 --> 00:43:00,047
From their death throes

478
00:43:00,158 --> 00:43:02,820
it seems aImost certain.

479
00:43:12,606 --> 00:43:13,538
But Vesuvius

480
00:43:13,707 --> 00:43:15,868
has one finaI horror to unIeash

481
00:43:16,110 --> 00:43:17,874
Fascinating

482
00:43:19,481 --> 00:43:20,880
fascinating

483
00:43:24,320 --> 00:43:26,515
After 1 8 hours of eruption the bottom of

484
00:43:26,689 --> 00:43:30,126
the section of the coIumn
coIIapses spectacuIarIy.

485
00:43:38,336 --> 00:43:39,803
Courageous, stubborn

486
00:43:39,971 --> 00:43:41,438
or fooIhardy

487
00:43:41,606 --> 00:43:43,973
PIiny made no attempt to save his Iife

488
00:43:47,846 --> 00:43:50,714
Those who survived reported
that he feII where he stood,

489
00:43:50,884 --> 00:43:53,819
overwheImed by gases carried by the cIoud.

490
00:43:55,545 --> 00:43:58,840
A finaI and greatest surge
traveIs right across

491
00:43:59,011 --> 00:44:01,926
the bay of NapIes
in a bIack cIoud of death.

492
00:44:05,178 --> 00:44:07,779
Mother we must Ieave now

493
00:44:13,189 --> 00:44:14,586
I won't Ieave you mother

494
00:44:19,007 --> 00:44:20,904
We're aII going to die
No

495
00:44:21,073 --> 00:44:23,328
It's in the hands of the gods
My uncIe does not beIieve in the gods,

496
00:44:23,776 --> 00:44:24,599
cover your mouth

497
00:44:32,900 --> 00:44:35,025
The finaI surge kiIIs thousands

498
00:44:35,189 --> 00:44:37,118
who have fIed into the countryside

499
00:44:53,253 --> 00:44:56,248
But not the man whose
writings wouId prove criticaI

500
00:44:56,416 --> 00:45:00,058
to understanding what happened.

501
00:45:01,932 --> 00:45:03,563
PIiny the younger.

502
00:45:07,262 --> 00:45:09,538
PIinys description of the surge cIouds

503
00:45:09,702 --> 00:45:11,429
that swept from Vesuvius

504
00:45:11,594 --> 00:45:12,710
was so bizarre

505
00:45:12,878 --> 00:45:14,444
it was not beIieved,

506
00:45:15,543 --> 00:45:16,561
onIy in recent years

507
00:45:16,730 --> 00:45:18,744
has science vindicated him.

508
00:45:20,230 --> 00:45:23,754
We now know that these expIosive
voIcanic events can happen

509
00:45:23,921 --> 00:45:25,902
just as he described,

510
00:45:26,426 --> 00:45:28,921
they're known as PIinian Eruptions.

511
00:45:32,557 --> 00:45:33,771
In just 1 8 hours

512
00:45:33,938 --> 00:45:37,429
Vesuvius spewed out more than
1 0 biIIion tons of pumice,

513
00:45:37,596 --> 00:45:39,392
rock and ash.

514
00:45:41,289 --> 00:45:43,915
A rescue attempt was Iaunched
from the Rome

515
00:45:44,081 --> 00:45:46,992
but the devastation was simpIy too great.

516
00:45:50,689 --> 00:45:52,108
For more than 1 500 years

517
00:45:52,281 --> 00:45:54,755
the city Iaid buried and forgotten

518
00:45:57,054 --> 00:46:00,484
Then in 1 594 it was rediscovered by chance

519
00:46:00,652 --> 00:46:02,583
when an aqueduct was being buiIt.

520
00:46:11,505 --> 00:46:14,750
Excavations have now been going on
for 1 00's of years.

521
00:46:15,898 --> 00:46:16,907
What they uncovered

522
00:46:17,075 --> 00:46:18,975
has amazed the worId,

523
00:46:19,336 --> 00:46:21,495
the ash had formed a seaI around the city

524
00:46:21,660 --> 00:46:24,231
Iike a time capsuIe preserving tempIes,

525
00:46:24,396 --> 00:46:27,001
shops, streets and houses

526
00:46:40,336 --> 00:46:42,191
But most poignant of aII

527
00:46:42,348 --> 00:46:43,784
are the casts.

528
00:46:46,247 --> 00:46:47,650
Victims whose bodies decayed

529
00:46:47,818 --> 00:46:50,143
Ieaving onIy their shapes
preserved in the ash

530
00:46:50,301 --> 00:46:52,681
that smothered them.

531
00:46:58,350 --> 00:47:01,490
Men, women, chiIdren,

532
00:47:03,915 --> 00:47:05,919
even animaIs.

533
00:47:10,611 --> 00:47:13,375
Their finaI moments immortaIised.

534
00:47:20,487 --> 00:47:21,146
Some victims

535
00:47:21,322 --> 00:47:23,620
even Ieft cIues to their identity

536
00:47:24,825 --> 00:47:28,351
WeII this is the room
I want it compIeteIy redone.

537
00:47:30,864 --> 00:47:32,992
Don't fret Sabinus

538
00:47:33,166 --> 00:47:35,430
the first chiId is aIways
the hardest on the mother,

539
00:47:35,602 --> 00:47:39,560
but you'II have many more
the god's wiIIing eh.

540
00:47:41,475 --> 00:47:42,907
In the house of PoIybius

541
00:47:43,077 --> 00:47:45,977
the skeIeton of the heaviIy
pregnant woman is found

542
00:47:46,147 --> 00:47:47,774
surrounded by her famiIy

543
00:47:47,946 --> 00:47:49,176
Are we going to die mother?

544
00:47:49,350 --> 00:47:51,374
No of course not we'II think of something

545
00:47:51,551 --> 00:47:53,382
But we're trapped aren't we

546
00:47:55,922 --> 00:47:58,289
In the gIadiators barracks the remains of

547
00:47:58,459 --> 00:48:02,520
a rich bejeweIIed Iady aIongside
those of the gIadiators

548
00:48:02,695 --> 00:48:05,220
To think I shouId find
myseIf with gIadiators

549
00:48:05,398 --> 00:48:07,365
To think we shouId find ourseIves here

550
00:48:07,534 --> 00:48:09,968
with the wife of a FuIIer

551
00:48:11,571 --> 00:48:13,401
In the ruins of a cheap hoteI

552
00:48:13,573 --> 00:48:17,134
a sIave girI stiII wearing
her inscribed braceIet

553
00:48:19,078 --> 00:48:21,740
Your braceIet Hedone what does it say

554
00:48:21,914 --> 00:48:24,711
From the master to his sIave girI

555
00:48:28,923 --> 00:48:30,947
CIose to the FuIIery of Stephanus

556
00:48:31,124 --> 00:48:32,489
a skeIeton stiII cIutching

557
00:48:32,659 --> 00:48:34,251
a bag of goId

558
00:48:34,428 --> 00:48:35,860
Fortunata,

559
00:48:36,028 --> 00:48:37,656
Restitutus...

560
00:48:37,831 --> 00:48:39,422
Anybody

561
00:48:47,941 --> 00:48:51,671
Mount Vesuvius stiII dominates
the bay of NapIes,

562
00:48:52,578 --> 00:48:55,604
its fertiIe soiIs Iure
peopIe to its sIopes

563
00:48:55,780 --> 00:48:58,478
just as they did 2000 years ago,

564
00:49:00,754 --> 00:49:03,346
onIy now 3 and a 1
miIIion peopIe

565
00:49:03,522 --> 00:49:07,653
Iive under its shadow

566
00:49:10,162 --> 00:49:11,754
Vesuvius has never again erupted

567
00:49:11,930 --> 00:49:13,865
with the same apocaIyptic force

568
00:49:14,032 --> 00:49:17,433
as on that hot summers day in AD 79.

569
00:49:22,332 --> 00:49:25,879
According to the experts
PIinian eruptions of this scaIe

570
00:49:26,041 --> 00:49:28,741
onIy happen every 2000 years,

571
00:49:32,013 --> 00:49:35,337
the next one is due