‘Finally, a book that puts Herculaneum back on the map!’ – Dr Daisy Dunn

‘What an extraordinary tour de force!' – Dr Sophie Hay

‘This is an absolute must-read…’ – Dr Jessica Venner

On a beach near Naples in October 79 CE, more than 300 people stand on a beach, hoping for an evacuation that will never come. Vesuvius has erupted, and there is no time to escape. They will all be killed instantly in the suffocating, hellishly hot devastation that follows.

This was the end of their town, but it is not the end of their story. Neighbouring the world-renowned Pompeii, the town of Herculaneum is the neglected victim of Vesuvius. It was uniquely preserved in the aftermath of the eruption, and in many ways gives us unparalleled glimpses into the past.

• Essential reading for fans of Pompeii

• Herculaneum receives 300,000 visitors every year and is one of Italy’s top ten tourist destinations, yet it has been overshadowed by Pompeii in popular history – until now

• Based on the latest archaeological research and discoveries, Adrian Murdoch explores the ancient Roman town to bring the ancient world to life

• Herculaneum’s unrivalled preservation gives us a unique glimpse into Roman life

Echoes of Ash tells the fascinating story of Herculaneum and the people who lived there for the first time. By looking through the eyes of such figures as the Weaver and the Slave Girl, the Soldier and the Boxer, and by investigating the relevant buildings and the archaeological discoveries of the past twenty years, acclaimed historian Adrian Murdoch builds a historical picture that is more colourful, complete and alive than has ever been possible before.

‘What an extraordinary tour de force! At last, a book that brings Herculaneum vividly back to life through the fabric of the city, its ancient inhabitants, and of course, its Gods. Adrian Murdoch’s fresh approach surges life back into Herculaneum with the same force as the pyroclastic flows that removed it in AD 79. Painstakingly researched, Murdoch’s lucid text delves deep into the history of Herculaenum and unravels the palimpsest we see today.

Murdoch cleverly weaves together the fragments of evidence in Herculaneum and repopulates it both with moving portraits of those anonymous inhabitants who tragically died on the town’s shorefront and incisive biographies of those we do know the names of and where they lived and worked. It is an essential guide to Herculaneum, whether on site or from an armchair, but it is so much more than that as the stories, myths, and facts about the ancient city are brought together and contextualised.

A thoroughly engaging account that will cast Herculaneum from the shadow of Pompeii. It sought to put Herculaneum back on the map and this book has done just that with gusto.’

‘An illuminating and accomplished retelling of the vibrant history of Herculaneum, explored through its people. This is an absolute must-read for anyone even remotely intrigued by the story of the city and its population, so often overlooked in favour of Pompeii, yet offering equally rich insights into Roman life. With a sharp eye for both the finer details and the wider historical landscape, this timely and engaging reassessment sheds new light on a site that continues to reshape our understanding of the ancient world.’

‘Finally, a book that puts Herculaneum back on the map! Discover all the delights of the city that has for too long resided in the shadow of Pompeii.’

ADRIAN MURDOCH is an award-winning journalist, historian and broadcaster. A former editor at Reuters and the New Statesman, he has also presented documentaries about Ancient Rome – most recently Caligula: The Mad Emperor (Netflix). Among his books, Rome’s Greatest Defeat was named a Daily Telegraph book of the year. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.