Plot Summary:This documentary explores the history of Mount Vesuvius and is destruction of the Ancient Roman city of Pompeii in 79 A.D. as well as the destruction of its sister city Herculaneum on the souther slope of the volcano. Although the inhabitants had ample warning only those living in Herculaneum heeded the signs of the upcoming disaster. Remains of the city's unfortunate inhabitants as well as the ruins of their once-proud city are shown.
Since the days of the Roman Empire, Italy's Mount Vesuvius has erupted more than 50 times, devastating whole cities and towns. At Herculaneum, archaeologists found human skeletons in a fatal embrace. Although Vesuvius is sleeping now, this active volcano is never far from the minds of the two million people who live in its shadow.