DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70303#0378
348
FIRST IRRUPTION OF MOUNT VESUVIUS.
were immerged in thick darkness, and a heavy shower of
ashes rained upon them, which they were obliged every
now and then to shake off to prevent being crushed and
bruised in the heap. At length this dreadful darkness
was dissipated by degrees, like a cloud of smoke : the real
day returned, and even the Sun appeared, though very
faintly, and as when an eclipse is coming on; and every
object seemed changed, being covered over with white
ashes, as with a deep snow. Pliny owns very frankly,
that his support, during this terrible phenomenon, was
chiefly founded in that miserable, though strong conso-
lation, that all mankind were involved in the same cala-
mity, and that the world itself was perishing. They re-*
turned to Misenum, but without yet getting rid of their
fears; for the earthquake still continued, while, as was
extremely natural in such a situation, several enthusias-
tic people ran up and down, heightening their own and
their friends calamities by terrible predictions.
This event happened A. D. 79, in the first year of the
Emperor Titus; and was probably the first irruption of
Mount Vesuvius, at least of any consequence, as it is
certain we have no particular accounts of any preceding
irruption. Dio, indeed, and other ancient authors, speak
of this as burning before; but still they describe it as co-
vered with trees and vines, so that the irruptions must
have been inconsiderable. Martial has an epigram upon
this subject, in which he gives us a view of Vesuvius, as
it appeared before this terrible conflagration broke out,
Mr. Melmotli’s translation runs thus ;
(i Here verdant Vines o’erspread Vesuvius’ Sides,
The generous Grape here pour’d her purple Tides ;
This Bacchus lov’d beyond his native Scene,
Here dancing Satyrs joy’d to trip the Green.
Far more than Sparta this in Venus’ Grace,
And great Alcides once renown’d the place;
Now flaming embers spread- dire waste around,
And gods regret that gods'cah thus confound.’*
LOCAL
FIRST IRRUPTION OF MOUNT VESUVIUS.
were immerged in thick darkness, and a heavy shower of
ashes rained upon them, which they were obliged every
now and then to shake off to prevent being crushed and
bruised in the heap. At length this dreadful darkness
was dissipated by degrees, like a cloud of smoke : the real
day returned, and even the Sun appeared, though very
faintly, and as when an eclipse is coming on; and every
object seemed changed, being covered over with white
ashes, as with a deep snow. Pliny owns very frankly,
that his support, during this terrible phenomenon, was
chiefly founded in that miserable, though strong conso-
lation, that all mankind were involved in the same cala-
mity, and that the world itself was perishing. They re-*
turned to Misenum, but without yet getting rid of their
fears; for the earthquake still continued, while, as was
extremely natural in such a situation, several enthusias-
tic people ran up and down, heightening their own and
their friends calamities by terrible predictions.
This event happened A. D. 79, in the first year of the
Emperor Titus; and was probably the first irruption of
Mount Vesuvius, at least of any consequence, as it is
certain we have no particular accounts of any preceding
irruption. Dio, indeed, and other ancient authors, speak
of this as burning before; but still they describe it as co-
vered with trees and vines, so that the irruptions must
have been inconsiderable. Martial has an epigram upon
this subject, in which he gives us a view of Vesuvius, as
it appeared before this terrible conflagration broke out,
Mr. Melmotli’s translation runs thus ;
(i Here verdant Vines o’erspread Vesuvius’ Sides,
The generous Grape here pour’d her purple Tides ;
This Bacchus lov’d beyond his native Scene,
Here dancing Satyrs joy’d to trip the Green.
Far more than Sparta this in Venus’ Grace,
And great Alcides once renown’d the place;
Now flaming embers spread- dire waste around,
And gods regret that gods'cah thus confound.’*
LOCAL