- Pompeii is the best known and probably the most important archaeological site in the world. This is the most up-to-date, authoritative and comprehensive account for the general reader of its rise, splendour and fall.The drama of Pompeii"s end has been handed down by Roman writers, its paintings and mosaics have astonished visitors since their discovery, and its houses and public buildings still present a vivid picture of life, disaster and death in a Roman town.• The dramatic story of Pompeii’s destruction and burial• Lavish illustrations, covering monumental architecture and inscriptions, houses, shops, graffiti, wall-paintings and mosaics.• The changing nature of excavation and research since Pompeii was unearthed• Pompeii’s development – the latest findings• Vivid evidence on the daily lives and deaths of the people• The internal politics of Pompeii• Architecture, decoration and objects of daily life• Religion in Pompeian life, from the Roman gods to the exotic cult of Isis• Economic Life, from production, through shopping and eating, to long-distance trade• Features range from theatre to water supply• Comprehensive tables of information