Podcast Summary: The Ancients – Herculaneum
Episode Overview
Title: Herculaneum
Release Date: April 3, 2025
Host: Tristan Hughes
Guest: Professor Emeritus Andrew Wallace Hadrell, University of Cambridge
Description: In this episode of The Ancients, host Tristan Hughes delves into the fascinating history and archaeology of Herculaneum, a sister city to Pompeii, destroyed by the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Featuring an in-depth interview with Professor Andrew Wallace Hadrell, the episode explores the unique aspects of Herculaneum, its discovery, daily life, and ongoing research that continues to unveil its secrets.
Introduction to Herculaneum
Tristan Hughes sets the stage by contrasting Herculaneum with its more famous counterpart, Pompeii. While Pompeii offers a vivid snapshot of Roman life through its well-preserved streets and buildings, Herculaneum presents a different preservation story due to the nature of the volcanic eruption. Hughes emphasizes the importance of Herculaneum as a must-visit site for enthusiasts of Roman history, highlighting its smaller size and the remarkable state of its surviving art and architecture.
Key Quote:
"Herculaneum is a really exciting site and to delve into its story, I was delighted to interview one of the best people for the job, Andrew Wallace Hadrell." – [02:19]
The Eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD
The episode begins with a vivid description of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, which unleashed a column of volcanic ash and rock, leading to the obliteration of several towns, including Pompeii and Herculaneum. Hughes contrasts the experiences of the two cities, noting that Herculaneum was buried under a superheated pyroclastic flow, which preserved organic materials exceptionally well, unlike Pompeii, which was covered by pumice and ash.
Key Quote:
"In Herculaneum, if you'd like me to elaborate, of course, in Herculaneum, you're under a pyroclastic flow which covers everything in what's initially gas and dust, but sets into rock." – Professor Andrew Wallace Hadrell [06:19]
Rediscovery and Excavation of Herculaneum
Professor Hadrell provides an extensive overview of the rediscovery of Herculaneum, contrasting it with the excavation history of Pompeii. Unlike Pompeii, whose excavation began in the mid-18th century, Herculaneum was first explored in the 1730s by the Bourbon dynasty of Spain. Hadrell explains the political and financial challenges faced during the excavation, including attempts to secure international funding and the eventual halt due to technical difficulties posed by the depth of the site.
Key Quotes:
"The discovery of Herculaneum was driven by the arrival of a new Spanish dynasty in the south of Italy." – [09:16]
"Pompeii is a pushover. You just shovel away these pumice pebbles... Herculaneum is forgotten for a period between, let us say, 1780 or so, when Pompeii has become really the big name, to 1930." – [14:38]
Archaeological Significance and Comparison with Pompeii
Hadrell discusses the unique archaeological value of Herculaneum, emphasizing that it offers a different perspective compared to Pompeii. The pyroclastic flow that buried Herculaneum preserved structures and organic materials, including wood and papyri, with exceptional detail. This preservation allows archaeologists to gain deeper insights into the daily lives, architecture, and culture of its inhabitants.
Key Quote:
"Herculaneum is as much as 20 meters below the surface. That is serious excavation, serious mining. It comes away rather nicely with a pneumatic drill." – Professor Andrew Wallace Hadrell [15:10]
Daily Life in Herculaneum
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to exploring the daily life of Herculaneum's residents. Hadrell elaborates on the social structure, highlighting the presence of multi-story flats, shops, and villas. He emphasizes that the site reveals a spectrum of inhabitants, from wealthy elites to modest shopkeepers and slaves, providing a comprehensive view of Roman society.
Key Quotes:
"Herculaneum punches above its weight, it makes no sense to us that a town of, they say 4,000 inhabitants... it's way, way up the list in terms of public amenities." – [29:10]
"The people in the middle, who are neither the richest or the poorest, really important. The prosperity of a whole broad stratum underneath them, that's what makes Pompeii and Herculaneum so amazing." – [43:21]
The Villa of the Papyri
One of the most intriguing discoveries in Herculaneum is the Villa of the Papyri, which housed an extensive library of carbonized scrolls. Hadrell discusses the significance of these papyri, primarily works by the Epicurean philosopher Philodemus, and the ongoing efforts to decipher them using modern technology and AI. The preservation of these texts offers unprecedented insights into Roman philosophy and daily thought processes.
Key Quotes:
"Most of the papyri that have been read are works by Philodemus." – [54:25]
"We have something like 800 scrolls still to read." – [59:12]
Insights into Preservation and Future Research
The conversation shifts to the future of Herculaneum research, focusing on the potential of DNA analysis and isotopic studies to uncover more about the inhabitants' origins, relationships, and lifestyles. Hadrell expresses optimism about the advancements in technology that will continue to unlock the secrets of Herculaneum, making it an ever-evolving field of study.
Key Quotes:
"We can use isotopic analysis to say where they were born... and DNA work is beginning to show relationships between different skeletons." – [63:09]
"As I do so, I have the appalling prospect that in another 10 years it'll be out of date again. But that's good." – [66:50]
Conclusion
Tristan Hughes wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of Herculaneum in understanding ancient Roman life. He emphasizes that ongoing research promises to reveal even more fascinating details about the inhabitants and their society. The episode concludes with an invitation for listeners to engage with upcoming content and share their interests in future episodes.
Key Quote:
"Research around this ancient Roman town over the next few years promises to be very, very exciting indeed." – [66:22]
Final Thoughts
This episode of The Ancients offers a comprehensive exploration of Herculaneum, shedding light on its unique archaeological significance and the rich tapestry of life that once thrived there. Through the expertise of Professor Andrew Wallace Hadrell, listeners gain a profound understanding of how Herculaneum complements and enhances our knowledge of ancient Rome, promising continued discoveries that will enrich the field of archaeology.
Additional Resources For those interested in delving deeper, Professor Hadrell's book "Herculaneum: Past and Future" is recommended. Listeners can also follow The Ancients on Spotify and other podcast platforms for more episodes exploring the depths of ancient history.