Pompeii, Its Life and Art is August Mau’s authoritative account of the buried Roman city, written by the scholar who established the standard chronology of Pompeian wall painting. Mau guides the reader through the streets, houses, temples, theaters, and public buildings, reconstructing the daily life and art of the city destroyed by Vesuvius in AD 79.
Combining archaeology, art history, and vivid description, the book remains a classic introduction to Pompeii and Roman urban life. Mau’s expertise illuminates the frescoes, architecture, and material culture preserved by the eruption. For students of Roman antiquity, classical archaeology, and ancient art, this work is an essential and enduring guide to one of the most important archaeological sites in the world.