Pompeii’s Secret Underworld on SBS and SBS on Demand S1E1 and S1E2 – Once thought of as a symbol of Roman sophistication, recent archaeological discoveries at Pompeii uncover a more complex, darker reality that was key to the functioning of the city.
Pompeii’s Secret Underworld offers a stark, new portrayal of the ancient city, exposing a deeply divided society marked by extreme inequality, violence and unrest.
Combining historical evidence with the latest discoveries, experts retrace the rise and fall of Pompeii- from its introduction as a Roman colony in the 1st century BC to its destruction by Vesuvius in 79AD. With access to restricted parts of the city this documentary series explores several ground-breaking finds, piecing together clues to reveal what life was really like in Pompeii 2000 years ago.
These include a recently unearthed tomb that sheds light on the opulent lifestyles of the elite and their close ties to the Roman emperor, a newly discovered servant quarters and bakery which provides a rare glimpse into the cramped, bleak conditions in which Pompeii’s enslaved lived and worked; and new DNA analysis that reveals the remarkable story of an enslaved individual who gained freedom and rose to power.
Pompeii’s Secret Underworld paints a vivid picture of a complex society deeply divided by wealth, power, and opportunity, revealing a civilisation far removed from the idealised image of Roman culture.
*Episodes one and two play concurrently from 7.30pm.
Pompeii’s Secret Underworld on SBS and SBS on Demand – New Series Premiere / Sunday 10 November at 7.30pm (2 Parts)
TV Central SBS content HERE
Pompeii’s Secret Underworld on SBS and SBS on Demand S1E1 and S1E2
