Mount Vesuvius erupted today in 79AD and the ash and molten lava completely engulfed the towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The loss of life was of course appalling but every volcanic ash cloud has a silver lining. Today we know immeasurably more about 1st century Rome than we would have done if there had been no eruption and Pompeii and Herculaneum just grew into modern towns, replete with bars and pizza joints.
When the Mem and I visited Naples (before you ask, don't bother ...) we visited both Pompeii and Herculaneum and though both are wonderful, enjoyed the latter the most. There were no school parties (a huge plus as far as I am concerned) and in fact, no other visitors but us. At Herculaneum, you really get the feeling of the depth of the ash, as it is literally carved out of the ground and also many of the original tools left by the original excavators in the eighteenth century are lying next to their abandoned work, as if the archaeologists have just popped out for lunch. Two historical goose pimple moments for the price of one!
In other news ...
Now, this will upset people, but George Stubbs was born today in 1724. It's not his birth that will upset you, but my next statement. George Stubbs was not the world's greatest horse painter. All his animals have tiny, greyhound-like heads and virtually no ears. There! I've said it. And, do you know, I feel a lot better.
