Stay The Course!
Pompeii...in southern Italy...
A bustling, metropolitan Roman city.
The year is 79 AD...
Mount Vesuvius erupts, burying the entire city in red hot lava and ashes.
Years later, archeologists discover the remains of 1,500 people in Pompeii and Herculaneum, perfectly preserved beneath the ash and pumice.
Some had been out in the streets, apparently killed trying to flee the city.
Others were discovered in deep, underground vaults, as though they were seeking a secure place to avoid the 1,200 degree burning lava.
Others attempted to find safety in high chambers, trying to get above the catastrophic effects of the massive eruption.
Only one man, the Roman sentinel, was found at his post, near the city gate, still clutching his weapon.
If we could have the perseverance of this man to stay the course in our duties, despite overwhelming obstacles, no task would be too great!
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Well said Rick. Still,l I find he was stupid. You should know when to fight and when concede defeat.
Have a nice weekend!
I don't know that a lot of them had the means to get away, although there were surely boats, in what was then a fairly sophisticated society. Perhaps they underestimated the power of the eruption. I agree with your point, Eric-The gates don't need guarding against 1,200 degree lava!
Actually the eruption of mount Vesuvius was such strong that a heat wave came down on Pompeii within minutes. Even as the eruption was 10 km away from Pompeii, the heat wave had still a temperature of 250° C (480 F) killing instantly on its way any living creature.There were rescue attempts from the sea side, but the heat was simply too big. In the following weeks and month there were many smaller and bigger eruptions. About 3 month later another major eruption happend. But the remaining people, who had moved back to Pompeii had already gotten used to eruptions. They didn't give much thoughts to this eruption and went to sleep. This time it wasn't the heat which killed the people, this time it was the ash and the lava. I guess, that soldier too thought it was just another eruption as they had had previously and therefore didn't leave his post.
I think lava takes down the trees, too, Linda, but if it was an apple tree, at least you'd have some sustenance! :)
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Amazing perserverance and belief!
He stayed at his post, Carol! :)