One thing it is vital to keep in mind whether you are writing historical fiction, reading it, or studying history—what we “know” for certain in history often changes.  New studies, new information, new scholarship and interpretation can challenge and change accepted facts, and undercut theories that have stood for decades or even longer.

I have an example from A Day of Fire: A Novel of Pompeii.”  For many years the eruption of Vesuvius was set down as having happened in August of 79 A.D.  The prolific and influential historian Mary Beard subscribed to this date as did pretty much every historian specializing in ancient Rome. Then new analysis was done and new physical evidence unearthed—including:

Autumnal fruits including pomegranates, (which ripen in late September and October in Italy)as well as dried dates, prunes, and figs, typically harvested in late summer during new excavations;

Jars with fermenting wine, indicating that the grapes had been harvested and wine production was well underway at the time Vesuvius blew.

AND—the most compelling evidence—a Roman coin minted after September 7 or 8 of the year 79 CE found in a stratification that ruled out the possibility that it was dropped at the site later by looters or investigators

SO, based on that evidence —presto change—the date of the destruction of Pompeii was moved from August to late September. THEN MOVED AGAIN, when FURTHER EXCAVATIONS AT THE CITE UNEARTHED GRAFFITI DATED IN OCTOBER OF 79 CE

LAST TIME I CHECKED the date of Pompeii’s destruction is considered to be in late OCTOBER. But you know that could shift further as more artifacts are uncovered.

THAT’S JUST ONE fascinating reminder that we ought not be too sanguine about what we know to be “the truth.”

[This post was taken from part of a biannual University lecture that I give]