We humans have been posting our comments around the place for centuries. Mobile phones and Twitter may be the tools we use today, but back in 79 AD, the Romans recorded their opinions about life as graffiti on the walls of their cities.

We know this because aspects of Roman life in Pompeii were preserved in the many metres of volcanic ash from the eruption of Mt Vesuvius. The evidence remains even after centuries of looting and unauthorised excavations.

Over 200 artefacts are on loan to Museum Victoria for this very special Melbourne Museum exhibition, A Day in Pompeii. It was opened by the Minster for the Arts and I really wanted to take a picture of her next to the statue of Minerva, the Roman Goddess of the Arts, but didn't get a chance.

Gladiatorial-ly and curatorial-ly yours, Dr Andi

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Roman Gods. Photo: Andi Horvath | Garden Fresco House of the Golden bracelet. Source: © William Starling, Alabama, USA. | Gladiator's helmet. Source: Alfredo and Pio Foglia.

Show notes

Museum Victoria Resources

The A Day In Pompeii website has education kits and fact sheets.

Voices (in order of appearance)

Dr Patrick Greene – Archaeologist and CEO of Museum Victoria
Ms Kelly Grant – Multimedia Officer
Mr Richard Watts – Voice of Pliny the Younger, a witness to the eruption
Ms Eve Almond – Project Manager, Pompeii exhibition
Mr Brett Dunlop – Manager, Melbourne Museum

Host

Dr Andi Horvath – Science Communication Unit, Museum Victoria

Technical Production

Arch Cuthbertson – Podcast Recording Services