The Last Days of Pompeii is Edward Bulwer-Lytton's classic novel, filled with adventure and romantic intrigue.
Inspired by a painting named The Last Day of Pompeii by Karl Bryullov, this novel transports us to the Roman city of Pompeii days before the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius; the cataclysmic event which destroyed the entire city on a single, terrible day.
We join Glaucus, a young, dashing and educated son of a noble family. Betrothed to Ione, who is more than a match for his wits and good looks, the pair make a popular couple in the wealthier circles of ancient Roman society. However, Ione's affections are sought by the cunning and manipulative Arbaces; an Egyptian with powers of sorcery who plots to frame Glaucus for a crime, thereby seizing Ione for himself.
Much of the book proceeds as an intrigue filled drama of romance in its classical setting. However, the sudden eruption of Vesuvius and the ensuing chaos of the citizenry's hasty flight from the fast-flowing lava brings a twist to the plot at the very moment the characters' fates seem sealed.
As a voracious and informed researcher of classical cultures, Bulwer-Lytton uses his characters to allude to days past, and portend the eras to follow. In the 1st century AD, the Roman Empire was nearing its height of power, together with the Greco-Roman culture emblematic of Western European antiquity. The story thus contains studied elements of history.
In the modern era, The Last Days of Pompeii is known for its many adaptations for the silver screen, television and the stage; its enduring narrative appealing to generations of audiences.