Stabiae

The city of Stabiae (now Castellammare di Stabia ) a Roman settlement on the Gulf of Naples, about 4.5 km south-west of Pompeii was located. At the outbreak of the volcano Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, it was like Pompeii and Herculaneum destroyed. A few people were the first lava to escape and warn others of the impending eruption; but they died in the ash raining down. They probably broke down because of the intense heat and were then covered with the ashes.

The Roman knights and naturalist Pliny the Elder died at Stabiae, after he had to abandon his attempt to help the inhabitants of Herculaneum. His nephew, Pliny the Younger left detailed records of the volcanic eruption.