The ancient Roman city of Pompeii was located in what is now the Campania region of Italy, southeast of Naples. It was at the southeastern base of Mount Vesuvius and was built on a spur formed by a prehistoric lava flow to the north of the mouth of the Sarnus (modern Sarno) River. Pompeii was destroyed by the violent eruption of Mount Vesuvius on August 24, 79 CE.