Pliny the Elder and the Eruption

Pliny the Elder (23-79), a man of the Equestrian class, began his career conventionally by entering military service. However, he was also a writer, so it is for his works on natural history that he is known. After a lengthy career in the military he returned to Rome. While the dangerous emperor Nero was in power, Pliny the Elder retired from public office. The Flavians had been his friends, however, so when Vespasian became emperor of Rome, Pliny re-started his public career. At the time of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, he was prefect of the Roman navy that was stationed at Misenum. From there, Pliny had charge of the western Mediterranean. When he realized that Mt. Vesuvius posed a great danger, he turned the warships into rescue boats. Pliny the Elder died while saving his fellow citizens of Rome.

Read what Pliny wrote about the eruption: Pliny the Elder and the Eruption