The book by the famous Russian scientist M. E. Sergeenko was first published in 1948 and was timed to coincide with the bicentenary of the beginning of excavations in the famous Pompeii. The author tells about the circumstances of the death of Pompeii, the history of the first two centuries of excavations, and convincingly recreates a picture of the life of the ancient city and its citizens. The scientist’s deep knowledge, her encyclopedic erudition, excellent mastery of the material, lively and fascinating style of narration allow us to classify the work as a classic. For students, students, teachers, as well as a wide range of readers.