Pompeii and the Roman Villa

Pompeii and the Roman Villa

  • Overview
  • Cast

Status

Released

Release Date

Oct 19, 2008

Runtime

0h 30m

Genres

Documentary, History

Original Title

Pompeii and the Roman Villa

Production Companies

Department of Exhibition Programs, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, USA

Description

Narrated by Sir Derek Jacobi - star of the landmark television series "I, Claudius" - this documentary explores art and culture around the Bay of Naples before Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD 79. The bay was then the most fashionable destination for vacationing Romans. Julius Caesar, emperors, and senators were among those who owned sumptuous villas along its shores. Artists flocked to the region to create frescoes, sculpture, and luxurious objects in gold, silver, and glass for villa owners as well as residents of Pompeii and other towns in the shadow of Vesuvius. The film concludes with the story of the discovery of Pompeii and Herculaneum from the 18th century onward.