Dear readers,
Today, I wish to speak of a date that marked the history of humanity: the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. After years of research and debate, the effective date of this catastrophe seems to be October 24, not August 24 as initially thought. This discovery is based on recent archaeological excavations and a re-evaluation of historical sources.
Archaeological evidence
Archaeological excavations in Pompeii and Herculaneum have revealed crucial clues that support the date of October. Among the most convincing evidence are graffiti found on the walls of Pompeii. One of them, dated 17 October (a.d. XVI Kal. Novembres), mentions imminent festivities, which would be impossible if the city had already been destroyed in August.
In addition, the remnants of food found in the homes and markets of Pompeii and Herculaneum include autumn fruits such as pomegranates, grapes, and nuts. These commodities would not be available in August, reinforcing the idea that the eruption occurred later in the year.
The mistake of the copistes monks
One of the main reasons for the confusion about the date of the eruption comes from the letters of Pliny the Younger. In his writings, Pliny the Younger describes in detail the eruption of Vesuvius which he observed from Misene, where he was with his mother. The date of these letters has been transcribed as 24 August (a.d. IX Kal. Septembres), but it is very likely that this date was an error introduced by scribe monks over the centuries.
Pliny the Younger writes in his letter to Tacitus:
"The cloud was visible from Misene, standing like a huge column. My mother begged me to run away with her, but I was fascinated by this natural phenomenon and could not separate myself from it."
"I still remember the incessant shaking, the pumice stones falling from the sky, and the darkness that was settling in, as if it were the end of the world."
These poignant descriptions give us a glimpse of the terror experienced by the inhabitants, but they do not specify the exact date. The confusion could be due to a misreading or transcription of the original date, especially in a context where the Julian calendar was still in use.
A necessary reassessment
Taking into account archaeological evidence and potential transcription errors, it is now more reasonable to date the eruption of Vesuvius to 24 October (a.d. IX Kal. Novembres). This re-evaluation allows us to better understand the historical events and to do justice to the accounts of witnesses of this tragedy.
I invite you to discover more about this fascinating period of Roman history through our articles.
Sincerely yours,
Aulus Trebius Valens