This was an exceptional experience and the talk by Paul Roberts, the Curator of the British Museum's current exhibition on Pompeii and the Vesuvius eruption of AD79. It was absolutely packed out. Paul Robert, on his first visit to the Edinburgh International Book Festival described a fascinating picture of life in Pompeii and in the neighbouring city of Herculaneum just before the eruption and then of the treasures found after the eruption.
Because Herculaneum suffered a surge of pyroclastic gas with a temperature of some 400 degrees Centigrade, many objects were carbonised with this high temperature and some have been brought over for this British Museum exhibition.
Roberts pointed out that 95% of the artefacts from the eruption are held in Naples and we were shown pictures of huge stores of artefacts from the two cities. He added that the Italian authorities had been exceptionally helpful and hugely supportive in arranging for the loan of their treasures to the British Museum.
Paul Robert's lecture was illustrated by a host of fascinating slides of items found in the two cities and which, because of the eruption of Vesuvius have been preserved for posterity.
Few realised that Vesuvius actually lost a cubic mile in height and volume following the eruption. Although there had been earthquakes in the area no one realised that they indicated the possibility of a major volcanic eruption and therefore life carried on much as normal. What had been trapped by the volcanic ash in the two cities gives a unique glimpse of life in Roman times. The many mosaics and murals show us just what life was like and indicates the style of living in each section of society at the time. Of note is the importance of the slaves and the functions they performed - slaves were everywhere.
The talk kindled a strong desire to see this wonderful exhibition at the British Museum (which is open to the 29th September) and I was even moved sufficiently to buy the book, which is magnificently illustrated throughout, and is highly recommended for those who have a fascination of life in the days of the Roman Empire.
Paul Robert's book, "Life and Death in Pompeii and Herculaneum" is a brilliant piece of work and gives a full description of a unique event in the history of the world opening the door to an example of history which most will find hugely absorbing.