Darryl A. Phillips

On this day, 1,930 years ago, Mt. Vesuvius erupted burying the neighboring cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum beneath ash and mud.  A bad day for Romans living in the bay of Naples, but as it turns out, a very useful one for folks interested in studying the social history of the Roman world.  Pliny the Younger wrote an account of the eruption in a letter to his friend Tacitus (the historian).  You can read a translation of the letter on the web at:  http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/pompeii.htm

A large Roman villa (some 150,000 sq. ft.) has been found near the ancient city of Falacrinae — known to be the birthplace of the emperor Vespasian (emperor A.D. 69-79).  Excavations are underway, and given the size, location, and rich appointments of the villa, it seems likely to have been associated with the Flavian family.  We should be hearing more about this down the road, but the preliminary announcement was just released.  The Telegraph has a report.