Pompeii

Campania, 79 CE. Marcus Attilius, the newly appointed aquarius of the Aqua Augusta, is sent to investigate the sudden failure of the aqueduct supplying cities around the Bay of Naples. Disturbing changes in the water, ground and coastline suggest a crisis far beyond ordinary engineering.

His search brings him into conflict with wealthy local interests while Mount Vesuvius moves towards eruption. The novel follows Attilius, Pliny the Elder and the communities around Pompeii through a disaster in which technical knowledge can identify danger but cannot guarantee escape.