Many tales have been told about the destruction of Pompeii by Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D., as mountains of ash and pumice rained down and choked the life from this once-dynamic city. Pompeii was buried virtually intact under 60 feet of Vesuvius' wrath, and remained asleep and forgotten until its accidental rediscovery in 1748.

Today, the ruins of Pompeii offer a fascinating snapshot into the daily life of the city and its residents, before a spewing volcano erased their very existence nearly 2,000 years ago.

What was Pompeii like before Vesuvius? Before the devastating 79 A.D. eruption, the city experienced several volcanic eruptions and earthquakes over the years, including an earthquake 17 years prior that nearly destroyed it. But residents worked hard to rebuild their city, determined to make it even more splendid than before.

Pompeii soon became home to nearly 20,000 inhabitants who grew prosperous from its fertile, lava-enriched soil. Most were involved in agriculture or trade, along with merchants, sailors and slaves. It also drew the attention of wealthy Romans, and many emperors and members of the aristocracy built vacation homes along the Pompeian shore.

Pompeii's residents were a sophisticated and cultured lot, with deep interests in fine art, architecture and the pleasures of the flesh, illustrated by the numerous thermal baths, massage parlors and erotic-themed paintings, statues and frescoes that have been discovered.

Many residents also had a keen sense of wit. For example, the inscription "Salve, lucru" ("Welcome, money") remains famously etched in the floor of a Pompeian trader's still-standing home. Intact wine jugs bear the brand name or marketing slogan, Vesuvinum, a blend of Vesuvius and vinum, the Latin word for wine. There is also evidence of graffiti on some of the still-standing walls, with phrases written in street, not classical, Latin. These remnants and artifacts remain well preserved today – a clear window into ancient Pompeii's vibrant and relaxed way of life.

Take a fascinating journey back to the daily life of this well-preserved city on the excursion "Ancient Pompeii,". View Itineraries for a complete list of cruises that visit Pompeii from Sorrento and Capri, Greece.