Lois Park

3-17-16

English II

Romano/Mcgee
Pompeii

When youre in a situation where youre given a warning about whats to come in the
future, do you ignore, or do you acknowledge the warning and apply it to your life? Those who
are oblivious to the warnings that are presented before them, foreshadows what their future
holds. In this case, most believe that the destruction of Pompeii was all due to the eruption of
Mount Vesuvius, in 79 AD. However, little did they know there was another event that took
place 10 years before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius is what triggered the cycle of volcanic
activity. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 ad is what caused the ruins of Pompeii. Yet, it has
also provided historical treasures beneath the rubbles left behind from the disaster. The song
Pompeii by Bastille makes a metaphorical connection with the historical event as well as
providing an abundant amount of imagery throughout the song.
The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 c.e. is known as one of the most devastating
historical events. Volcanologists have recorded that the chances of Mount Vesuvius having an
eruption has become more likely over the years, and as it takes on a new cycle of volcanic
activity the probability of triggering another eruption has increased dramatically (Trouble in the
mountain). It was predicted to be a much greater explosion than what occurred back in 1944.
Volcanologists have hypothesized that the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. was the most
destructive eruption since 2000 years ago. Many are knowledged of the lost city of Pompeii,
however, there were also neighboring cities that took part in the destruction, Herculaneum and

Stabiae. These cities are located in Sicily of southern Italy. Out of all three cities, Herculaneum
was most affected from the disaster. August 24, 79 c.e., marked the date of the eruption of Mount
Vesuvius. The first signs of the eruption was recorded at perhaps 7a.m. According to the
observation by an eyewitness, there was a image of a grey cloud in the vast distance, as the
volcano was triggered there was a release of " flashes of fire as vivid as lightning "(Pompeii
destroyed). The ashes from the eruption generated a great mass of " darkness more profound
than night. (Pompeii destroyed). The city was engulfed by the wave of lava that poured out.
After the disaster struck the ground was covered with lava, which solidified over the city.
Although the city was in ruins most civilians were able to be safely evacuated from the scene
before further damage was done (Pompeii destroyed).
For a long period of time, after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii had become
abandoned. The damages done by the eruption were unprofitable to reconstruct the city. As a
result Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Stabiae was never restored to its original state. However, after
the extensive period of time archaeologist began to rediscover the ruins left behind from the
eruption. In the early seventeenth century, interests pertaining to Pompeii and Herculaneum
emerged as ancient historians were fascinated by the underlying historical, architectural, and
artistic treasures. Archaeologist thrived over the historical values that maintained to be preserved
(Excavations at Pompeii). As more became aware of the hidden treasures of Pompeii and
Herculaneum, some began to take advantage of the artifacts. Prince D'Elboeuf of Austria,
obtained marble decorations of the stage and many statures from the theater of Herculaneum,
Prince D'Elboeuf was able to obtain these treasures from purchasing the lands and hiring a group
of diggers in search for treasures and riches. There were numerous time where looting has

occurred. Today, certain parts of Pompeii was restored, and has become a tourist attraction for
many to observe the historic province (The fall and rise and fall of Pompeii).
Pompeii, written and composed by an English indie rock band known as Bastille, is a
metaphorical song. The song is a description of the event of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius as
well as the destruction of Pompeii. Throughout the entire song, the literary elements of figurative
language such as imagery and metaphor was utilized. Imagery was incorporated through the
lyrics of the song, Bastille wrote, And the walls kept tumbling down/In the city that we
love/Great clouds roll over the hills/Bringing darkness from above (azlyrics). This moment in
the song gives an illustration of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, as well as the ruination of
Pompeii. Certainly, the eruption created a great disaster. However, the lyrics in the song reveal a
metaphor corresponding with the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, which states, We were caught up
and lost in all of our vices/In your pose as the dust settled around us (azlyrics), these lyrics
assert how they were caught up in their conflicts and bad habits. Bastille implies, I was left to
my own devices/Many days fell away with nothing to show (azlyrics). These lyrics suggests
that even though the warnings were presented to them, they were oblivious to what their actions
were instigating, which foreshadowed their failures. Even through the metaphors within the song
imagery was constantly presented. Through lyrics of the song, bastille, exposes how a constant
cycle of repetition in their actions occur, But if you close your eyes,/Does it almost feel
like/Nothing changed at all/And if you close your eyes,/Does it almost feel like/Youve been here
before?... (azlyrics). This perhaps is expressing how all these events that are occurring in their
lives dont seem foreign, and it is something they have experienced before. Likewise with the
historical event, many believe that the natives of Pompeii and Herculaneum couldve escaped the
eruption of Mount Vesuvius. In 62A.D. there was an earthquake that took place. If the natives of

Pompeii were to take precautions to the earth quake they could have been protected from the
eruption that was to come ( Pompeii: Portents of Disaster). Many weren't aware that the
earthquake is what first triggered the cycle of volcanic activity, which explains why they were
ignorant of the dangers of continuing to have a civilization there. This perfectly portrays that
being insensible to warnings you will have to take the following consequences.
All in all the destruction of Pompeii will forever be remembered as a sorrowful historical
event. Nevertheless, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius provided the chance to allow others to
become more mindful to certain signs and warnings that are given to them. After many witnessed
the immense impact done to Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Stabiae by the eruption of Vesuvius,
they took this event as a lesson, to be more attentive messages that they perceive. Since the
natives of Pompeii and Herculaneum were not able to regard the earthquake in 62 A.D. as a
warning they were tragically affected from the eruption of Vesuvius. This message was perfected
portrayed in the song Pompeii by Bastille. The meaning they strived to illustrate was that many
moments in our lives we will witness downfalls in our lives, and many times we will have loss
and hope. But if we try to stay optimistic, and change our bad habits that are embedded into our
daily lives we can redefine, and ensure ourselves a bright future.

Works Cited
"BASTILLE LYRICS 'Pompeii.'" http://www.azlyrics.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2016.
<http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/bastille/pompeii.html>.
"Excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum Mark the First Systematic Study in Archeology."
Science and Its Times. Ed. Neil Schlager and Josh Lauer. Detroit: Gale, (e.g., 2001). N. pag.
Print. Vol. 4 of World History in Context.
"Excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum Mark the First Systematic Study in Archeology."
Science and Its Times. Ed. Neil Schlager and Josh Lauer. Detroit: Gale, 2016. N. pag. Print. Vol.
4 of U.S. History in Context.
Hammer, Joshua. "The fall and rise and fall of Pompeii: the famous archaeological treasure is
falling into scandalous decline, even as its sister city Herculaneum is rising from the ashes."
Smithsonian: n. pag. Print.
Nadeau, Barbie. "Trouble in the Mountain." Newsweek International 1 July 2002: n. pag. Print.
"Pompeii Destroyed by Vesuvius, August 24, 79 c.e." Historic World Events. Detroit: Gale, 2012.
N. pag. Print.
Wallace-Hadrill, Andrew. "Pompeii: Portents of Disaster." bbc.co.uk. N.p., 29 Mar. 2011. Web. 5
Apr. 2016. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/pompeii_portents_01.shtml>.