In August 70, Pliny the Elder, a Roman admiral, went to help evacuate those fleeing the eruption of Vesuvius. His nephew Pliny, then about nine, later recalled how the admiral had gone to the house of Senator Pomponius, perilously close to the volcano, and tried to spread a little calm, even taking a relaxing bath before going comfortably to bed.

The elder Pliny’s restful night was cut short when the household roused him, after realising that falling cinders would soon block his bedroom door. Family and guest then fell to discussing their options, and dawn found them hurrying out of the house with cushions tied upon their heads, to protect them from a rain of ash and cinders.

The family reached the shore safely, but the winds were against any immediate attempt to leave by boat. Pliny, overweight and breathless, lay down to rest but a sulphurous cloud engulfed them, and they were compelled to move. Sadly, the fumes were too much for Pliny’s weakened lungs, and the others were compelled to leave him dead upon the beach.

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