When you think of the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, the image that comes to mind is that of a city frozen in time, with its inhabitants forever trapped in an instant of tragedy. But recent archaeological discoveries are reshaping this narrative. Pompei ed Herculaneum they were not completely wiped out: many of their inhabitants managed to escape, taking with them their stories and their hopes for the future. Today, archaeologists are unearthing these stories, tracing the paths of survivors as they rebuilt their lives in other cities of the Roman Empire.
An escape into the night
The eruption of Vesuvius began in the afternoon of October 79 AD and lasted for more than 18 hours. In that period of time, many inhabitants of Pompeii and Herculaneum had the opportunity to escape, taking with them what they could. This explains why human remains found in cities represent only a fraction of the total population, and why many objects one would expect to find, such as chariots, horses and jewellery, are absent.
To track down the stories of the survivors, the archaeologist Steven L. Tuck has developed a method worthy of a detective (I'll link the study here). He looked for characteristic Roman names for Pompeii and Herculaneum, such as Numerius Popidius e Aulus Umbricius, in inscriptions from other cities of the Empire, dated after the eruption. He also looked for evidence of improvements in the infrastructure of these cities, which might indicate the arrival of new inhabitants.
After eight years of searching, Tuck found it trials of over 200 survivors in 12 cities, mainly in the area surrounding Vesuvius, but generally to the north, outside the area of maximum destruction. It appears that most survivors stayed as close to home as possible, preferring to settle with other survivors and relying on the social and economic networks of their hometowns.
Survivors of Pompeii and Herculaneum: new lives, new fortunes
The stories of the survivors are as varied as their fortunes. Some, like the Caltilius family, prospered in their new home in Ostia, founding a temple and building a sumptuous family tomb. Others, like Fabia Secundina, found themselves in difficulty, forced into marriages of convenience and struggling to make ends meet.
There are also stories of generosity and resilience. Poor families like him Avianii, Atilii and measure they took care of each other in their new home in Nuceria (today's Nocera), going so far as to welcome orphans as adopted children. And even the less well-off continued to donate to the religious and civic institutions of their new communities, just as they had done in Pompeii and Herculaneum.
The government's role in reconstruction and recovery of survivors
The Roman authorities played a crucial role in supporting the survivors and their new communities. Emperors invested heavily in the region, rebuilding properties damaged by the eruption and building new infrastructure for displaced populations, including roads, water systems, amphitheaters, and temples.
This post-disaster recovery model can be a lesson for today. The costs of financing the reconstruction never seem to have been questioned. The survivors were not isolated in camps or forced to live indefinitely in tent cities.
There is no evidence that they encountered discrimination in their new communities. On the contrary: all signs point to them being welcomed with open arms, with many of them opening businesses and holding positions in local governments.
A new perspective on Pompeii
The stories of the survivors of Pompeii and Herculaneum add a new dimension to our understanding of this historical tragedy. It is no longer just a city frozen in time, but thousands of lives interrupted and then rebuilt elsewhere.
These stories are about resilience in the face of disaster, communities coming together to help those in need, and a government stepping in to support its citizens. These are stories that still resonate today, in a world where natural disasters and forced displacement are commonplace.
As archaeologists continue to unearth new evidence, the narrative of Pompeii and Herculaneum evolves even with technology. It is no longer just a story of destruction, but also one of survival and rebirth. We will continue to contemplate the petrified faces of those who were trapped by the ash. And we will be moved again, because it is a universal experience. From today, however, we will also imagine the hopeful faces of those who fled. Survivors ready to start over in a new place, taking with them the lessons and memories of the city they once called home.
