Pompeii, an ancient Roman city near modern Naples, Italy, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its preservation under volcanic ash after Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. Founded in the 7th–6th century BC by the Osci, it thrived as a bustling port and cultural hub under Roman rule, with a population of 10,000–20,000. The eruption buried it, preserving villas, temples, amphitheaters, and frescoes. Excavated from the 18th century, it offers a vivid snapshot of Roman life. Pompeii’s Forum, Hous