The Lost Voices of Pompeii: Life and Death on Pompeii’s Final Day

The Lost Voices of Pompeii: Life and Death on Pompeii’s Final Day

Award-winning ancient historian, archeologist, and social media sensation Dr. Jess Venner (@lifeinthepastlane_) brings the citizens of Pompeii back to life through a vibrant account of their final day before Mt. Vesuvius’s eruption. While the ruins of Pompeii still stand today, silent and perfectly preserved in ash and stone, they were once home to thousands of people whose lives were forever altered—or cut short—in the wake of Mt. Vesuvius. Through extensive research and vivid storytelling, leading expert Dr. Jess Venner goes beyond the devastation and shows a community teeming with art, customs, and culture. The Lost Voices of Pompeii follows ordinary citizens on what should have been an ordinary day: Petrinus, a slave, hopes to purchase his freedom; the recently elected Gaius Cuspius Pansa seeks to cement his legacy as a generous public servant; and the shrewd merchant Aulus Umbricius Scaurus and ambitious innkeeper Euxinus each devise ways to expand their growing businesses. Meanwhile, Julia Felix, a female entrepreneur, prepares to host the Cult of Isis and its mesmerizing priest Amisusius, and freedwoman turned businesswoman Umbricia Fortunata and her husband Lucius work to secure a better future for their children. Pompeii’s story is often reduced to the scope of its tragedy, but Dr. Venner brings our attention back to the individuals. As the citizens’ paths weave together and apart, leading up to the final, fateful moment, they capture a civilization rich in history, traditions, and aspirations. A profound and immersive experience, The Lost Voices of Pompeii revives a people often overshadowed by death and destruction and tells a poignant tale of humanity and resilience. Dr. Jess Venner is an award-winning ancient historian and archaeologist, recipient of the prestigious Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship (University of Oxford) and the Rome Award (The British School at Rome), and an Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, among other academic posts. A Trustee of the Herculaneum Society, she is also passionate about making ancient history accessible to her 166k followers on TikTok and 77k followers on Instagram, creating and sharing expert content via her platform @lifeinthepastlane_. Dr. Venner has appeared in publications such as The Times , The Mirror , The Daily Star , and Ancient History Magazine and has featured as a guest on various podcasts, including HistoryExtra and After Dark by HistoryHit. An up-and-coming presenter, Dr. Venner was recently nominated for Content Creator of the Year at the ITV bCreator Awards, Future Presenter at the New Voice Awards, and selected as one of the National Gallery’s 200 Creators for their bicentenary.