One of the victims of the eruption of Vesuvius 2000 years ago was a rescuer - it didn't take much to save him

Italian archaeologists have identified the body of the man killed in the eruption of Vesuvius. The remains of what was once thought to be a private soldier were discovered in Herculaneum along with three hundred others in the 1980s. Experts now believe he was a senior officer in the rescue mission led by Pliny the Elder.

While Pompeii, 12 km away, was covered in hot ash, Herculaneum was literally flooded with streams of lava, hot mud, rubble and gas at speeds of at least 80 km/h. Skeleton 26 belonged to a man between 40 and 45 years of age in good health. He was knocked to the ground from behind by the force of the eruption, lying with his face buried in the sand. He was probably trying to save the 300 unfortunates from death, as a boat was also found near him. With a few extra minutes, they could have all escaped...

When the skeleton was discovered, a bag of tools was found with it - among other things. Francesco Sirano, the director of the archaeological site in Herculaneum, said that the objects discovered with skeleton 26 suggest a much more important role than originally thought. "It could have been an officer of the fleet that took part in the rescue mission launched by Pliny the Elderby Plinio to help the people in the towns and villas in this part of the Bay of Naples," Sirano told Ansa news agency.

Twelve silver and two gold denarii were also found on the man. According to Francesco Sirano, this is equivalent to a month's salary for members of the elite Praetorian Guard. Also, a very elaborately decorated gold and silver belt and an ivory-hilted sword suggest that he was no ordinary soldier. His bag contained tools probably used by naval engineers - specialists in carpentry.

Pliny the Elder was a Roman naval commander who was based in the harbour of Misenum Bay, about 20km west of Herculaneum. He was also famous for writing one of the first ancient natural history encyclopaedias, a large collection called Naturalis historia.

Pliny's death during the eruption of Vesuvius was recorded by his nephew Pliny the Younger in two letters written to the Roman lawyer and historian Tacitus: "The ashes, which were already falling, grew hotter and stronger as the ships approached the coast. It was soon followed by pieces of pumice and blackened, fire-burned stones... [my uncle] thought for a moment whether to turn back, which the captain advised him to do, but decided instead to continue."

Pliny's ship did reach the shore, but because of the unfavorable winds, she could not make her way back. He died in the disaster.

Interesting documentary "Life and Death inHerculaneum"

Roman Nemec
Source: bbc.com, smithsonianmag.com

Eruption of Vesuvius - John Martin's 1822 painting

Herculaneum Today

Mosaic of Neptune and Amphitrite at Herculaneum

The origins and significance of the skeletal remains of a man discovered at Herculaneum in the 1980s are now clearer

Tool bag