Time traveller’s handbook

Survival tips for when Mount Vesuvius erupts

The city of Pompeii was a flourishing Roman resort before it was destroyed. As well as being beautifully positioned off the Bay of Naples, it was home to around 20,000 people. It offered fun in the sun, with a giant arena, shops, taverns, brothels and bathhouses. If you decide to visit it in August 79 CE, you can enjoy the Vuclanalia celebrations honouring the mountain god. However, make sure you leave when the earthquakes begin. While these were commonplace in Pompeii, this one will signal Vesuvius’ eruption. It will be followed by a mushroom cloud of hot rock and gas that will burst 20 kilometres into the air and block out the sun as it rains down on the city. With buildings in ruins, the ground shaking and pumice raining from above, it’s going to be difficult to get out of town in one piece — especially if you leave it until the last minute.