These pictures will make you want to visit Pompeii - a graphic slice of ancient Roman life that was buried under 20 feet of ash

On August 24, 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius, a 4,000-foot volcano near the Bay of Naples in Italy, erupted, taking down an entire city.

Pompeii was buried under an almost 20-foot blanket of volcanic ash that flooded the city, killing 2,000 people.

It was one of the world's most famous and deadly volcanic eruptions.

The city was left untouched until explorers rediscovered it in 1748, finding that the ancient Roman city was virtually intact underneath the dust and dirt.

Here are 17 photos that show why Pompeii has been a popular tourist destination for over 250 years.