The Last Days of Pompeii (1834 Lytton), novel

The Last Days of Pompeii (1834) is a novel by Edward Bulwer Lytton.

Abstract

Hugely popular novel used its characters to contrast, not uncritically, the decadent culture of first-century Rome with both older cultures (Greece and Egypt) and coming trends (Christianity). The success of the Italian opera, L’ultimo giorno di Pompei (1825) by Giovanni Pacini, which had made no reference to Christianity, suggested that the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE could also provide a climactic and providential setting to a “Christian” story.

Editions and translations

Published in Great Britain (1834). Translated in all major European languages.

Adaptations

• Jone; o, Gli ultimi giorni di Pompei (1858 Petrella), opera

• The Last Days of Pompeii (1898 Paul), film

• Gli ultimi giorni di Pompei (1908 Maggi/Ambrosio), film

• Gli ultimi giorni di Pompei (1913 Caserini), film

• Jone; o, Gli ultimi giorni di Pompei (1913 Vidali), film

• Gli ultimi giorni di Pompei (1925 Gallone), film

• The Last Days of Pompeii (1935 Schoedsack), film

• Los últimos días de Pompeyo (1940 Portas), film

• Les derniers jours de Pompei (1948 L'Herbier), film

• Gli ultimi giorni di Pompei (1959 Bonnard/Leone), film

• The Last Days of Pompeii (1984 Hunt), film

See also:

• Anno 79: La distruzione di Ercolano (1962 Parolini), film