On August 24 of the year 79 AD, the Vesuvius volcano in southern Italy suddenly erupted. and it engulfed the two flourishing Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum, as well as the many wealthy villas in the area.

Since the mid-18th century, these have been progressively excavated and made accessible to the public. Pompei, Herculaneum and the Villa Oplontis at Torre Annunziata, particularly the superb wall paintings provides a complete and vivid picture of society and the opulent lifestyle enjoyed by the wealthier citizens of the Early Roman Empire.