The Eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 472 AD

The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 472 AD took place from the 5th-6th of November. The event has been categorized as a Plinian eruption. This eruption initiates the formation of the cult of San Gennaro as protector of Naples against Vesuvius.

“Vesuvius (…) erupted the burning interiors, caused night during the day and covered all Europe with fine ash” – Marcellinus Comes.

The primary textual sources that contain information about the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 472 AD are as follows:

1 – Marcellino (Conte), Chronicon.

2 – Procopio from Cesarea, De Bello Gotico, liber II, cap IV.

3 – Carlo Sigonio, Historiarum de Occidentali Imperio Libri XX, liber XIV & XVI.

4 – Flavio Magno Aurelio Cassiodoro, Opera Omnia quae extant, Liber IV Variarum, Epistola 50.

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References;

An Overview of the History of Mount Vesuvius

1 – Mount Vesuvius: 2000 years of volcanological observations

2 – Vesuvius Before the 1631 Eruption

3 – Chronology of Vesuvius’ activity from A.D. 79 to 1631 based on archeomagnetism of lavas and historical sources

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