It tells the story of the virtuous Greeks Glaucus and Ione, their escape from Pompeii amid the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 ce, and their eventual conversion to Christianity, against a background of Roman decadence and corrupt Eastern religion. ( )

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This is a richly written early 19th century novel. While the setting is suitably dramatic as per the title, the actual events of the impending eruption of Vesuvius and destruction of Pompeii are very much in the background, against the central plot of the rivalry between the Egyptian priest Arbaces and the Greek Glaucus over the same woman, Ione. Another priest Apaceides (who has converted to Christianity) is murdered by Arbaces and Glaucus is framed it. About to face a hungry lion in the arena, he is only saved by the apocalypse itself. This novel is very melodramatic and theatrical to the modern reader, but I enjoyed its richness, despite some occasional overlong digressions - though even these had their poignancy when compared to the ruins found in recent times. ( )

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La colonia romana, aristocrática y mercantil, de influencia griega y etrusca, exhibía su prosperidad en sus palacios, mercados, termas y teatros. En el año 79 una erupción del Vesubio la destruyó por completo. Unos pocos habitantes pudieron escapar, los demás murieron bajo varios metros de cenizas y piedras, asfixiados por los gases o abrasados por la lava. El amor entre Iona y Glauco es el centro de la historia magistralmente construida, donde el reflejo de costumbres, juegos y espectáculos de la ciudad es tan vivo como el de la psicología de los personajes o la destructiva furia del volcán.