Volcano

[puppeteergirl.livejournal.com]

I was watching a documentary on the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and the destruction of Pompeii. Very sad story but fascinating (in a morbid kind of way). Sorta like an ancient world epic tragedy. You can watch it if want to. This link is for part 1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACwwPfCGykA

Anyway it reminded me of the vision Eugenides saw in QoA and I wonder if the idea was inspired by Vesuvius. Thoughts?

Comments

[dannybailey.livejournal.com]

Oooh, I remember thinking about Vesuvius when I first read the book. It was a little bittersweet the way that MWT wrote it, because unlike Eddis, the people in Pompeii had absolutely no warning. The volcano is really gorgeous irl though. :)

[starlady38.livejournal.com]

Almost certainly Vesuvius--which has erupted multiple times in its history, not just the famous eruption in 71 CE (the last major eruption was in 1711; it's overdue for another). Also the eruption of Thera (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minoan_eruption) in the middle Bronze Age that contributed to the collapse of Minoan society. The entire area is one of the more seismically active in the world.

[hazelwillow.livejournal.com]

I've actually always associated the volcano with the destruction of Crete (I think the parallel with Crete is mentioned in one of the author's notes...? I don't remember which exactly). Although it's more the destruction I was thinking of (in Crete it may have been an earthquake that destroyed the civilization... I believe they don't know for sure?).

Either way, though --ominous. I don't like to think that Attolia and Gen may be existing near the end of a age... :(

[puppeteergirl.livejournal.com]

What is most fascinating about Pompeii is the fact that the eruption preserved the city so well. Especially the petrified people they found. It reminds me so much of the Titanic. It was tragically destroyed, people discovered it years later and found well preserved artifacts.

Destruction of Pompeii

[(Anonymous)]

For a better understanding, please read:

"Features of the Domenico Fontana’s Water Conduit (the Canal of Count Sarno) and the Date of Pompeii Destruction"

http://www.grin.com/e-book/140558/features-of-the-domenico-fontana-s-water-conduit-the-canal-of-count-sarno