A Night Blacker and Darker
Jacquie Rogers
ISBN 9781916919587
 
In AD 79 Mount Vesuvius exploded, obliterating the wealthy resort of Herculaneum. The town lay buried and forgotten for seventeen centuries. When Herculaneum was re-discovered by a well-digger in 1709, the ruins were almost empty of inhabitants. Unlike their neighbours in Pompeii, it seemed Herculaneum’s townspeople had escaped the volcano.

Or had they?

Modern archaeology has unearthed a scene of horror: more than 300 ancient skeletons, huddled together on the beach. Including the elderly and crippled, enslaved people, women with children—and a senior naval officer. He was found with the signs of his rank: high-status sword and dagger. How did he end up on that deadly beach? What was his mission, and why did he stay to the end? Was he driven by duty, honour, revenge—or love? 

This is the story of Tribune Flavius Valerius, and the people who died with him on that fateful day.