The Special Case of Herculaneum

Herculaneum's Greek library, discovered as papyrus rolls in a villa, stands uniquely preserved among ancient archives. Excavations began in 1709 when workers uncovered a theater beneath Resina, later taken over by the Spanish under Charles III, who sought decorative artifacts for his palace. The project faced closure due to 'mephitis,' a noxious gas, but Swiss engineer Karl Weber was appointed in 1750 to oversee the digs. This historical account highlights Herculaneum's significance as a rare source of Greek texts and a pivotal chapter in archaeology, blending scientific recovery with political influence.

Sider, D. (2012). The Special Case of Herculaneum. The Oxford Handbook of Papyrology, 303–319. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199843695.013.0013