What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedPompeii
Paul W. S. Anderson · Film · 2014
If you loved Pompeii, start with Rome (Bruno Heller, 2005) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Pompeii across media.
What hooked you in Pompeii was the way the weight of history and impending doom forces ordinary individuals into extraordinary, desperate acts.
Books on the same thread
The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus (5))
Rick Riordan · Book · 2014
Explores: Prophecy, Good vs Evil, Teamwork.
If you enjoyed the high-stakes struggle against an unstoppable ancient force in Pompeii, you will appreciate how these heroes face their own apocalyptic threat from Gaea and her giants.
Inferno
Dan Brown · Book · 2013
Explores: Dante Alighieri, Global Pandemic, Overpopulation.
Just as the looming disaster in Pompeii creates a frantic race against time, this thriller uses the pressure of a global catastrophe to drive its fast-paced, high-stakes narrative forward.
Imperium (Book One)
Robert Harris · Book · 2007
Shares a thread with Pompeii: Ancient Rome.
If the political corruption and Roman societal tensions of Pompeii intrigued you, this look at the inner workings of the Roman Republic provides a deeper, more calculated view of power.
Quo Vadis
Henryk Sienkiewicz · Book · 1999
Explores: Early Christianity, Roman Empire, Nero's Reign.
Much like the tragic romance set against the collapse of a city in Pompeii, this epic captures the personal devotion and turmoil of individuals living through a historical turning point.
Series on the same thread
Rome
Bruno Heller · Series · 2005
Shares 2 threads with Pompeii: Ancient Rome, Social Class.
The struggle for power and survival in the final days of the Roman Republic mirrors the intensity and historical atmosphere that made the world of Pompeii so compelling to watch.
Spartacus
Steven S. DeKnight · Series · 2010
Explores: Rebellion, Slavery, Revenge.
Since you followed a gladiator fighting for his life and love in Pompeii, you will connect with this gritty tale of a warrior seeking vengeance within the brutal arena system.
Game of Thrones
David Benioff · Series · 2011
Explores: Power Struggles, Moral Ambiguity, War and Politics.
The sense of impending doom and political volatility found in Pompeii is amplified here, as noble houses fight for control while a terrifying, ancient threat rises in the dark north.
Poldark
Debbie Horsfield · Series · 2015
Explores: Post-war recovery, Social inequality, Class conflict.
If the forbidden love and social class barriers in Pompeii resonated with you, this drama offers a similar focus on personal relationships struggling to survive amid systemic societal collapse.
Podcasts on the same thread
Fall of Civilizations Podcast
Podcast
Explores: Civilizational Collapse, Historical Analysis, Ancient History.
If the visual spectacle of a city meeting its end in Pompeii left you wanting more, this podcast explores the haunting reality of how other great civilizations truly collapsed.
Ancient Civilisations
Podcast
Explores: Ancient World, Historical Figures, Archaeology.
Building on the historical foundation of Pompeii, this series digs into the real archaeological and cultural details of the ancient world that provide the backdrop for such dramatic events.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Pompeii based on a true historical event?
Yes, Pompeii is set during the historical eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. The film depicts the destruction of the city as the volcano erupts, forcing the gladiator Milo to navigate the crumbling ruins to rescue his love, Cassia, from the unfolding natural disaster.
Who is the protagonist in Pompeii?
The protagonist of Pompeii is Milo, a slave who has become a gladiator. The story follows his desperate race against time to save Cassia, the daughter of a wealthy merchant, from both a corrupt Roman Senator and the catastrophic volcanic eruption destroying the city.
Does the plot of Pompeii focus on the arena?
The plot of Pompeii begins in the arena where Milo is a gladiator. As Mount Vesuvius erupts, the narrative shifts as Milo must fight his way out of the arena to reach Cassia and attempt to escape the city before it is completely destroyed by lava.
What is the primary conflict in Pompeii?
The primary conflict in Pompeii involves Milo's struggle to save Cassia from a forced marriage to a corrupt Roman Senator. This personal mission is complicated by the sudden and violent eruption of Mount Vesuvius, which forces Milo to survive the collapsing city to reach her.