The Eruption of Vesuvius in 79 CE

During the period of ancient Roman history, Vesuvius erupted in...

• 79 BC

• 79 BCE.

• 79 CE.

Pliny the Younger wrote an eye-witness account of the volcanic eruption and the events in the region around Vesuvius. His text is therefore a...

• primary source.

• secondary source.

A primary source in history refers to...

• only written sources produced at the time being investigated.

• any source of evidence from the time being studied, e.g. a building, text, artwork or artefact.

• an entry in an encyclopedia or modern textbook, written by a historian or scholar.

Pliny's description of the Vesuvius eruption was so precise that the term "Plinian eruption" was named after him. This denotes or describes...

• a volcanic eruption that is characterised by a single violent explosion.

• a volcanic eruption that is characterised by repeated explosions.

• volcanic activity with no genuine explosive eruption at any stage.

In 79 CE, Vesuvius...

• was considered by the surrounding people as an active volcano.

• was perceived as a dangerous and threatening volcano.

• had erupted several times within the memory of the people living at the time.

• had not erupted in living memory.

The people who lived in Pompeii...

• understood that there was a link between earth tremors and volcanic eruptions.

• did not understand that there was a link between earth tremors and volcanic eruptions.

This picture of a street in Pompeii...

• is not a primary source.

• is a secondary source.

• shows the Romans' skill in road-building and engineering.

This picture of a Pompeii street shows...

• stepping stones that allowed people to keep their feet out of the mud and still allowed carts and other vehicles to navigate the streets.

• stones that prevented carts and other vehicles from navigating the streets.

The bread of the wealthy people in Pompeii...

• was flat and unleavened, rather like pita bread.

• was soft and fluffy due to the yeast that they could afford to use.

The bread of the poorer people in Pompeii...

• was flat and unleavened, rather like pita bread.

• was soft and fluffy due to the yeast that they could afford to use.