Unlike other works on the ruins of Pompeii, the originality of this essay lies in presenting the remains of the city on the basis of evidence it considers authentic, distancing itself from theories that ignore other events that occurred in Pompeii before or after the eruption of Vesuvius, such as earthquakes or the actions of looters over the centuries.
It sets out the data obtained from its excavations and, from there, derives what is known as the “history of mentalities”; that is, customs, laws, beliefs and attitudes, without neglecting the reconstruction of the site, structure and extent of that great city, which was equipped with an amphitheatre, forum, palaces, temples, baths, villas, houses, markets and taverns, but which was buried under tons of lava.
The book provides new data supported by solid scientific foundations; the bibliography is extensive, it also includes photographs, and it keeps its distance from the legends that arose from the uniqueness of the remains of this ghost city.
It can also be considered a popularization book on the Roman classical world, as it uses language free of complications for readers who are not experts in the subject.
The narrative includes references to degenerate habits of the Romans, far removed from ethical behaviour.
M.L. (España)