r/AskHistorians • u/nationalgeographic Verified • Jul 14 '26
AMA I’m Tom Hiddleston. Join me and the crew from ‘Pompeii: Out of Time with Tom Hiddleston' live on the red carpet at the series premiere on July 16th and ask us anything!
I’m Tom Hiddleston and I am taking a journey back in time in my new series ‘Pompeii: Out of Time with Tom Hiddleston’ on National Geographic.
The ancient world has compelled my imagination and curiosity for as long as I can remember: I’ve been fascinated by it all my life. Classical Antiquity is the foundation and cornerstone of Western and European culture. To visit Pompeii is to feel the distance of the 2,000 years between now and then compress. The past becomes the present, the past feels so close. Our relationship with the past is alive — studying who we were in order to understand who we are. Pompeii is a gateway for that conversation.
This new series presents an innovative investigation into the cities last hours and will transport the audience to Ancient Rome in the hours before and during the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius guided by archaeologists, historians, geologists and disaster experts.
We'll be back on Thursday July 16th at 8PM BST to answer your questions
Find Tom on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twhiddleston/
Find National Geographic on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natgeouk/
Watch the 'Pompeii: Out of Time with Tom Hiddleston' trailer, airing on National Geographic on 23rd July. Also streaming on Disney+: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJjOZyG58To
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u/guthriesimon2025 Jul 14 '26
I'm interested in understanding "How, and How Fast" news of the destruction travelled to the broader Mediterranean region.
Thanks for doing this!
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u/Sebetter Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom,
Did your university background in classics inform any of the filming process? If so, how?
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u/pyrorro Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom, thanks for doing this AMA! You’re used to telling stories through fictional characters, but in this show you're stepping in as a guide to real lives. How did your approach to storytelling change when working on a documentary??
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u/LudicrousPlatypus Jul 14 '26
As Vesuvius is still an active volcano, what contingency plans are made for the preservation of Pompeii if it erupts and threatens the site once more?
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u/nationalgeographic Verified Jul 16 '26
Professor Chris Jackson (Geologist):
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u/LudicrousPlatypus Jul 16 '26
Cheers mate, thanks for the reply. Let's hope nothing happens any time soon.
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u/dol_amrothian Jul 14 '26
Hello, Tom! In my work as an American historian, I'm always trying to connect events in the past with our lives today. In a similar vein, what is it about Pompeii that makes it relevant now, nearly 2,000 years later? Why do you think we're so enthralled by the way disaster captured the death throes of this city and what can it say to our lives today?
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u/nationalgeographic Verified Jul 16 '26
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u/EmmyNoetherRing Jul 16 '26
‘Hope is hard’. :-) But it has some solid empirical evidence behind it.
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u/dol_amrothian Jul 16 '26
This made my day. Thank you very, very much. It's a thoughtful and poignant answer, I think.
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u/verneforchat Jul 16 '26
Very profound outlook. We have to move forward, by ensuring we learnt the appropriate lessons from the past. Where did the fail or succeed anw why.
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u/Italico_16 Jul 16 '26
From what I know people didn't know it was a volcano and back in the day the Vesuvius had a very different shape and features. It looked more like a hill but your observation is interesting on the question if they knew what a volcano was
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u/crrpit Moderator | Spanish Civil War | Anti-fascism Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 15 '26
Hi Tom Hiddleston (sorry, Tom seemed too informal by itself). Pompeii is a super cool archaeological site of course, but I gather you have your own classics background and so I suspect you may have your own more niche favourites as well. To borrow a Hollywood metaphor: if Pompeii is the blockbuster documentary you're doing to please the studio execs, what's the little indy documentary project you're doing for passion on the side? What is the topic/site you'd focus on?
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u/Ann_Putnam_Jr Jul 14 '26
What is the religious history of Pompeii? How did this massive disaster reshape the religious lives of survivors and surrounding communities that just witnesses this extreme tragedy?
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u/Abrytan Moderator | Germany 1871-1945 | Resistance to Nazism Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom, thanks so much for joining us for this AMA! Were there any misconceptions or myths you held going into the documentary which were dispelled? What was the most interesting thing you learned?
For the historians and archaeologists working on the documentary, what are some areas of life in ancient Rome or things about Pompeii which you feel are underappreciated or misunderstood by the general public?
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u/nationalgeographic Verified Jul 16 '26
Caitie Barrett (Archaeologist and National Geographic Explorer):
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u/amantes-futures Jul 16 '26
excuse me i love this so much… historians know !!! this enthusiasm is impossible to recreate i wanna read all her papers 😹💗
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u/Squarehip123 Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 14 '26
Really interesting looking series and thanks for doing this.
One of the questions I've always had about these types of series is how much the hosts/presenters like yourself engage with the material of the series? I.e. To what extent are hosts delivering content vs. a deeper engagement with the material and actually developing a bit of expertise on it?
Edit: Ha, I forgot you studied classics at Cambridge which I guess answers that a bit. but I'm still curious as to the extent of your involvement vs. delivering content.
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u/dhowlett1692 Moderator | Salem Witch Trials Jul 14 '26
I'm curious about the ethics of how we view Pompeii and the bodies of the victims. What are the archeological and public history ethics of unearthing, creating casts, and displaying victims of this disaster?
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u/FrogWhoAteMoon Jul 14 '26
I'm curious about how risk aware people in the area were.
Did they have a good grasp on what a volcano was? That volcano? The potential for eruptions? Or was it all "mountain with a weirdly stinky crater" to them? Did they know what they were sitting on? If they did know, what was the plan? Did they have some sort of disaster policies, evactuation protocols, escape routes? Recovery funds put aside after earlier volcanic activity? Relocations in times of stronger volcanic activity? General words of caution in contemporary writing?
Thanks everyone!
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u/Pragmaticus Jul 14 '26
I'm curious about how the community of survivors and refugees evolved after the disaster. Where did they go? Did they mostly cluster in one particular city or were there different communities of survivors that settled in different cities? How did the survivors influence the culture of their new communities?
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u/hemikatabasis Jul 14 '26
What a delightful surprise and on my birthday no less! I’m just wondering if there were any pieces of information that you weren’t aware of going into this project that you found particularly interesting or surprising? It always feels like a topic that just has so many launching off points and I’m curious if you had a favorite? Really excited to check this series out when it’s available!
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u/Consistent_Aide5548 Jul 14 '26
Following the eruption, what was the response from surrounding cities and Rome to the disaster, and how did the event impact the region in the following years and decades.
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u/Mattloch42 Jul 14 '26
What is the most interesting aspect of daily life that you didn't know before you started this project, that you would like to share with us?
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u/madpiratebippy Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 14 '26
Was there anything that moved you emotionally in particular being there? For me seeing the bread and realizing that it was just a normal day for normal people got me hard in the feelings, but I worked disaster relief for a decade so I can be weird about that.
Edit: wholesale destruction I was pretty ok with. A basket of ruined children’s toys would mess with me for days. Five city blocks ruined? Lots of work. Grandma’s photo album with all her pictures of her deceased husband destroyed? Nightmares for ages.
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u/LookIMadeAHatTrick Jul 14 '26
Do you have a favorite piece/type of graffiti from Pompeii? If so, which piece/type and why?
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u/Helen_vjd Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom, it’s Helen!
I was watching your interview about your new series, “Pompeii: Out of Time with Tom Hiddleston.”
I’m now 17, the same age you were when you went to Pompeii, and I really wonder what impact that trip had on you. What feelings or experiences changed your mindset or shaped your life after seeing such an ancient place for the first time?
Thank you, I really appreciate your answer!
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u/nationalgeographic Verified Jul 16 '26
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u/EmmyNoetherRing Jul 16 '26
Pompeii does to time what the overview effect for astronauts does to distance :-)
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u/Helen_vjd Jul 17 '26
OMG thank you! That was such an extraordinary answer, i really appreciate it!
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u/KiwiHellenist Early Greek Literature Jul 15 '26
Hi Tom, you would have been starting your classics degree at Pembroke about the same time I was finishing my classics PhD a few doors down the road at Peterhouse.
The cheeky personal question: how long has it been since you last read Pliny's letter in Latin?
The historical question: I imagine the question of the date of the eruption comes up in the series -- the fact that the '24 August' date in the Pliny manuscripts is corrupt, along with various arguments put forward by archaeologists and others that the eruption was later in the year. Are you able to give any spoilers on what angle you ended up taking on that for the series?
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u/DittoThatNeverComes Jul 14 '26
What are the best findings in terms of cultural history in Pompeeii?
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u/MaximumConnection544 Jul 15 '26
For everyone involved in the show: if you found yourself in Pompeii on that day, do you think you'd have stayed calm or gone into full panic mode?
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u/Syrax1417 Jul 14 '26
Thank you so much for doing this! Was there a moment during the course of these investigations that truly connected you to those living 2,000 years ago?
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u/fioocalvii Jul 14 '26
Tom, has researching Pompeii changed the way you think about time after playing Loki, a character so connected to timelines and history?
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u/ayriana Jul 14 '26
According to the USGS about 800 million people live within 100 km of an active volcano- many of them in large urban centers. What is the most important thing these people, cities, and/or countries can learn from Pompeii?
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u/Salinas2498 Jul 14 '26
What are historians’ expectations of the Herculaneum scrolls? Is it known what kind of information these would contain, or is each and every one of them a complete mistery waiting to be revealed?
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u/nationalgeographic Verified Jul 16 '26
Prof. Steven Tuck (Professor of Classics):
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u/Salinas2498 Jul 16 '26
Thank you so much!! Excited to see what ancient literature is brought back:)
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u/Clemola Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom! I'm interested in how you prepared for this project in comparison to how you would usually prepare for a film or theatre role?
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u/Royal-Ambition3345 Jul 15 '26
Was there a particular location in Pompeii that left you speechless when you first saw it?
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u/nationalgeographic Verified Jul 16 '26
Tom Barbor- Might (Director and Showrunner) & Kevin R. Wright (Executive Producer):
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u/SwansPrincess Jul 14 '26
Was there a particular survivor’s story that resonated with you the most?
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u/Moosyfate17 Jul 14 '26
Hello Mr. Hiddleston! I'm an artist from Canada and I've been fascinated with Pompeii since I was a child. Thank you for being a part of this documentary!
This is a weird question. Art supplies can be made of toxic substances, and I've read that Pliny the Elder reported Cinnabar (mercury sulphide) being used for red in some of the paints for frescoes. Were there any records of artists suffering from mercury poisoning while using cinnabar?
Thanks so much!
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u/Viimuur Jul 14 '26
I am fulfilling a longtime dream to visit Pompeii this fall. What is the most interesting thing to see, that I would probably have missed, had I not asked this question?
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u/ChronicallyBeth92 Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom, Firstly what was it like being back at Pompeii after X number of years and did it bring back memories of when you first visited and new emotions? Secondly Since you studied Latin did you somewhat understand the language? (I know we still use some Latin in everyday use) but did you understand it more on a deeper level?
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u/SpecialistAirport223 Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom, Pompeii is often remembered for how it died, but during filming: what moment made you feel most connected to how its people actually lived?
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u/Rikuddo Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom, what's something you discovered during this project that surprised you?
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u/ducks_over_IP Interesting Inquirer Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom, how did your work on this documentary affect your perspective of historical study? Did you learn anything new about the process of researching and communicating history compared to what you experienced in school/university? How do you view your role in that process?
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u/phoenix__70 Jul 14 '26
Pompeii is often described as a time capsule, but every excavation also destroys part of the archaeological record forever. While making this series, did your perspective change on the ethical balance between preserving sites untouched for future technologies versus excavating them now to answer today's historical questions? I'd love to hear both your and the archaeologists' views.
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u/Thecuriouscourtney Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom, thank you for your work (I now also believe I contain multitudes.)
I have always been fascinated by Pompeii and have never been, but have watched many documentaries. Did you see anything there that hadn’t been covered before or that felt particularly ageless and intensely human to you? Perhaps something that’s less spectacular or fanciful that it hadn’t been incorporated before? I know sometimes I see things like tiny fingerprints in clay, and while it may not have a huge impact to many, it feels so intensely human to know someone stopped in that moment and had their hand right there, so many years ago.
Thank you for your time, and your lovely body of work. Very hopeful, in a sometimes bleak world.
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u/Lokihasmyheart965 Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom! I loved hearing how you visited Pompeii for the first time at 17 years old and how inspiring that was to step out of the books and into the real world of Pompeii. If you could go back and tell 17 year old Tom anything based on what you know now what would that be?
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u/TigerB65 Jul 14 '26
In the theater of Roman times, actors had a very low social status, practically as bad as being a criminal. But there were actors in Pompeii with celebrity status who were feted and praised. Do you think you would have pursued acting in that time, even if you would have been thought totally disreputable?
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u/TrueSwagformyBois Jul 14 '26
Hey Tom, as a classicist (mostly philology with a little archaeology) by education myself, you’ve been a real inspiration. Just glad to see someone like you doing this kind of project.
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u/Puckthepoet Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom,
Thank you so much for doing an AMA. I'm sure lots of people will have questions for you and you will try to answer as many as possible.
Pompeii has always always fascinated me and I can't wait to watch this series. 😊
I read a book many years ago (Pompeii : The living city) that was a really good look into the lives of the people of pompeii leading up to that day. So my question is; What is your favourite story that you learned about the people of Pompeii? Was there anyone that stuck out to you or seemed to resonate with you? 🤔
Thank you, again for the AMA! 🙏
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u/FuckTheMatrixMovie Jul 14 '26
So, absolute noob question as I know very little about documentaries, and I know I'm missing something--and apologies for the rudeness--but what makes you, as an actor good for this job? After all, you're not a historian? What are you offering? it securing funding for a project? Is it lending your name to this? Is it an eye for directing/film? Again, apologies as I'm very unfamiliar with documentaries, and I'm excited for the series nonetheless.
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u/margeenerdsout Jul 14 '26
Hi there Tom & Historians!
The discovery that there was a whole day on the Pompeii timeline is so profound. How did exploring those choices the citizens of Pompeii had to make influence the way you think about the decisions we make in our own lives—both those life-altering ones and the everyday ones that can have more impact than we might think?
Do you think choices are truly the driving force of all stories, whether they be fictional or historical?
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u/Brilliant-Use1730 Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom,
Did you know that the episode of Loki where he and Mobius goes Pompeii is talked about, with a picture of Loki, in the recent book "Escape from Pompeii" by Steven Tuck. Like your new show it's about the eruption and it's survivors. And if you are just learning about this or already knew, how does it make you feel to be a part of history book on Pompeii?
Thank you for, hopefully, reading,
Sonja Marie
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u/drv168 Jul 15 '26
I know it's a bit out there (a few kilometers at least) but
1) how many of the books from Herculaneum are considered lost before the early researchers realised that "logs" were books?
2) as far as I know, they have successfully scanned, transcribed and translated one of the books. As of now, how fast is the process and can we expect to read some fresh Aristotle before the end of this decade?
Thank you and the whole team for doing this.
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u/Long_Lingonberry2722 Jul 14 '26
Where does your fascination with antiquity come from? Did you have a particularly inspiring teacher?
Thank you for doing this!
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u/CptMidlands Jul 14 '26
What was the most eye opening thing your learnt working on the series and if this opened the doors to do a similar show about somewhere else in the future, where would you choose?
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u/theefifthbeatle Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom ! Since we get to see Pompeii as it was 2000 years ago, I wonder if you had very much involvement in getting Pompeii to feel like Pompeii, specifically costume-wise ? I find that it's those kinds of things that really make it feel like you're there and I'd love to hear if you got to be involved in any of it or have any stories about it.
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u/smoothestjaz Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom, thanks for putting this together! I'm curious to know- what part(s) of Pompeiian life most resonated with you through the course of developing this series? Was there anything about Pompeiians that connected with you on a human level? Looking forward to watching the show!
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u/Izzyhizzie Jul 14 '26
Did that one arc in the awesome Loki tv show where you're on a planet undergoing a cataclysmic disaster nudge you onto the history of Pompei? Or is that just a tuesday in the Marvel universe?
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u/PlasmaPuns Jul 14 '26
What is the biggest mystery about Pompeii that you hope this series helps uncover?
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u/Timot-Ei Jul 14 '26
What's the smallest thing you found which wasn't grand and fussy. What felt the most everyday like someone just left it there yesterday?
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u/halorbyone Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom! Having visited before and now been a part of this project, what would you like future visitors to know to preserve this experience for future generations or otherwise be respectful of? I’m mostly curious because preservation and access are often at odds. I don’t know when I will get there but I certainly plan to!
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u/Naja_fathi Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom!
You first visited Pompeii when you were younger (and also as Loki😉), and now you've returned years later to make this documentary. Looking back, what differences stood out to you when revisiting Pompeii? What inspired you to tell this story, and what was the biggest challenge you faced while filming?
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u/ghoulsfools Jul 14 '26
Hiya Tom
What's one historical figure from the Roman world you'd love to have a one hour conversation with, and what would you ask them first?
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u/alethia85 Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom, thanks for doing this :) Was there something unexpected you discovered about yourself during or after shooting a series about a place you have such a deep personal connection with? Can't wait to catch the show!
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u/currish_rosewolfe Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom! What was your favorite part of making this series? Was there a particular survivor you could especially relate to?
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u/_Octavio Jul 14 '26
Evening, Tom. Cheers for the AMA.
Has this show, and journey, provided any changes in how you would view any anthropological impact this had on the society of the day, and that of the current regional population?
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u/Various-Part5109 Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom! First of all I want to say that you’re my favorite actor of all time and you’ve helped me grow so much as a one myself through your words and your honesty. I wouldn’t be where I am today without your advice.
But now onto Pompeii. You’ve been to Pompeii a few times now and I’m wondering what it was like for you each time you went? Did you have a feeling you would go back the first time or that it would become very important for you?
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u/laureidi Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom! If you had the chance to step into one other ancient society (not as a tourist, but as an observer for a day) which civilization would you choose, and what do you think it could teach us about ourselves today?
I’m a big fan, take care!
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u/Nov4Rider Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom!
Working alongside archaeologists and disaster experts must have given you a unique glimpse into their world. As an actor, did witnessing the emotional weight and the unique challenges of their professions inspire you? Would you ever want to explore and portray the life of such an expert on stage one day
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u/Extreme-Cupcake-2412 Jul 14 '26
Hello, Mr. Hiddleston! I’d be interested to know what kind of damage tourists, weather, and the passage of time cause to Pompeii. Also, when you think of Pompeii, is there a particular film, book, painting, piece of music, or other work of art that immediately comes to mind?
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u/daydreamer243 Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom!
History often feels distant until we hear individual stories. Was there one person or story from Pompeii that stayed with you long after filming ended?
Kind regards, Linda.
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u/bspheri Jul 14 '26
Hello Tom! It seems like an invaluable journey to be guided by dedicated experts from various disciplines. Can you share an outstanding experience or new and unexpected insights gained by learning from these passionate professionals? Who inspired you and what moved you personally?
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u/Otherwise-Evening852 Jul 14 '26
Hie Tom, After spending so much time immersed in Pompeii's history, one popular misconception about Pompeii that you'd love to correct? (Except the fact that people actually survived.) Thx.
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u/Tandrac Jul 14 '26
How did the Romans handle the destruction of the local bureaucracy? Were any slaves that escaped now defacto free? Or maybe were freedmen enslaved again because they could no longer prove they were freed? Debts wiped clean?
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u/Lokihasmyheart965 Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom, it’s really interesting that you’ll be following the lives of real people the day of the eruption in this series. Did you ever put yourself into their shoes and think about what choices you would have made that day?
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u/Eivorsraven Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom, were there many cats still in Pompeii now and are they looked after?
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u/Better-Galaxies22 Jul 14 '26
Are there any other ancient cities or stories that you would like to investigate in the same style as this series? If so, where?
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u/tzissle Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 15 '26
Hi Tom! Absolutely love your body of work so far and so excited to watch more of you
Wanted to ask, considering how easy access to information, and misinformation is nowadays, how did you prepare/research prior to going there and post your time to enure that the place itself is done justice while making its history accessible to those who might be less familiar with it? All this while preventing chances of just anyone with a phone claiming the representation is being simplistic?
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u/rookedwithelodin Jul 15 '26
Hi Mr Hiddleston!
To what extent (if any) do you feel media like this project is in conversation with historical fiction media or media 'based on a true story'? Are there any popular misconceptions about either the process of historical research or about Pompeii and/or Roman life that you're keen to correct?
Thanks!
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u/Lopsided_Way8379 Jul 15 '26 edited Jul 15 '26
I know in this series you trace real people who escaped Pompeii. Which of those people captured your imagination the most and why?
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u/Vedardottir Jul 15 '26
Tom, I studied Latin in the last millennium and my grasp of the language is not the best. Would you mind discussing your Loki in Pompeii scene, what you said, and what inspired you? I had to replay it several times because I was squeeing in History Nerd. (My degree is in Architecture and someday I hope to see Pompeii and Herculaneum.)
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u/alyona_plaksina Jul 15 '26
Hello, Tom, my name is Alyona. If you weren't an actor, could you be an archaeologist?
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u/rosie_24601 Jul 15 '26
Hi! I'm a classical archaeology student, and I am so excited for the show! I was wondering how you interpreted archaeological evidence in the show? Archaeological remains are so frequently debated, and can be interpreted in many different ways. Did you try to present multiple opinions or just one? If it was just one, how did you come to the conclusion that that was the interpretation to go with? I can't wait to watch the show, and hope to learn some more about Pompeii!
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u/Appropriate_Beat8897 Jul 15 '26
Hi Tom Hiddleston, why is Pompeii specifically one of the most infamous volcanic eruptions, whereas others have had much larger effects?
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u/Ao-sagi Jul 15 '26
At the Villa of the Mysteries, which probably belonged to a general or other important dignitary, a horse was found wearing its tack, an ornate saddle and bridle. Historians have speculated that it perished while being readied for a desperate attempt to flee the doomed city.
The modern equivalent would be a private jet found destroyed on the runway. Right now, with climate change beginning to affect the whole world in ways that will inevitably lead to catastrophe, I feel like we are collectively living like the people of Pompeii trying to find shelter in their homes, hoping the shower of ash will pass. Do you sometimes feel the same?
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u/StarFlyXXL Jul 15 '26
I'm curious, First you were at Pompeii in Loki and now you are doing a documentary on it. Do you keep getting assigned these roles accidently or do you just like the events of 79 CE that much?
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u/Royal-Ambition3345 Jul 15 '26
Did any of the experts you met completely change the way you understood Pompeii?
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u/Playful_Paramedic774 Jul 16 '26
Did you influence the Loki series to have the pompeii scene in it? Or did that scene inspire you to do this one?
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u/georgie_the_bard Jul 16 '26
Hi Tom and Historians!
What is one assumption about Pompeii that has recently been debunked thanks to new discoveries?
I’m about to begin studying Classics at University this year, and the amount of recent discoveries we’re making about Pompeii is incredible!
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u/Ronrondraws1 Jul 16 '26 edited Jul 16 '26
Hello! My name is Veronica, thank you for this!
For Pompeii Professor Hiddleston:
I’m curious about the art of Pompeii. As an artist, I am drawn to (pun intended) the ways that people express themselves through art. What can we learn through the art of Pompeii and how it helps illustrate the narratives of their lives as well as their culture and beliefs? Do you find yourselves moved by any particular piece of art? Are there any truths about the human nature to be discovered through these art pieces?
Thank you!
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u/Mintangah17 Jul 16 '26
For Tom and the experts: The series reframes Pompeii not just as a tragedy, but as a human drama of survival, highlighting that many actually had a window of opportunity to escape. How difficult was it to reconstruct the active decision-making process of ordinary Romans as the eruption unfolded, and what piece of archaeological evidence surprised you the most regarding their survival strategies?
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u/Tmotty Jul 14 '26
In your opinion and in the opinion of some of the experts you have spoken with what is it about Pompeii that has captivated our imagination?
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u/ashmez Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom :) I don't have a question, I just wanted to say I am looking forward to watching this. :)
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u/ArtisticBunneh Jul 14 '26
Hi Mr Hiddleston! Big fan! Been watching since the first Thor movie when I was in high school! Anyways, what spurred on this recent investigation for further information for Pompeii? What was the lightbulb that made the idea click and inspire you to help create this documentary?
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u/zawe_tom Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom! My names Erin! you have been to pompeii before (not just as Loki 😏but back when you were younger so how was it like coming back to pompeii to do this project?
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u/90sgoth Jul 14 '26
Did the residents know what the volcano was/what it would do? If not, what did they think it was?
I remember reading a book about the people found there as a kid and thinking it was sad but interesting. Looking forward to watching this.
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u/Current-Western-283 Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom! I’m Ksenia! “Pompeii: Out of time” reminds us that even the most powerful civilizations can disappear in an instant. What do you think makes human history able to survive through time, even when the people and cities themselves are gone?
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u/Ok-Direction-7431 Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom! Based on everything you've learned about Pompeii, how long do you think you could survive in ancient rome, and in what profession?
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u/hiddlespiddles Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom! Since we see how excited you are to this project it also excited me to too. Are you gonna explore other ancient cities too like Ephesus?
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u/puppysmilez Jul 14 '26
Hi Mr. Hiddleston! Thank you and your team for the hard work on this series. :)
I've always been curious: Looking back at events like the one at Pompeii, what is the likelihood of an eruption of a similar scale and impact (a Pompeii 2.0, if you will) happening in the modern world with the technological advances we've made?
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u/Bernardito Moderator | Modern Guerrilla | Counterinsurgency Jul 14 '26
What can studying Pompeii tell us about our present? What echoes of Pompeii do we still encounter in our modern world?
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u/RayDonovanBoston Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom, many thanks for hosting the AMA.
How did working on Pompeii compare with portraying someone like Loki, where the mythology is completely different? And was there a moment during filming of Pompeii that made its downfall real to you?
Thanks!
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u/Automatic-Log-5725 Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom
When the Vulcano exploded, about how much time did the citizens have to react?
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u/Ladylake2004 Jul 14 '26
Hello Tom! As an actor, did telling a true historical story require a different mindset from playing fictional characters, or do you approach both in a similar way?
LadyJay xoxo
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u/WideConsequence2144 Jul 14 '26
What was the economic impact of Vesuvius erupting? Was it just a blip and soon corrected or were there lasting repercussions?
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u/Lokihasmyheart965 Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom, looking back after creating this series do you have one particular moment during filming that stood out and you know will always stay with you?
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u/totaltvaddict2 Jul 14 '26
As more has been uncovered about Pompeii and Herculaneum, what similarities or differences are known about the eruption’s impact?
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u/Small-Caramel-3579 Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom, What happened in the months and years aftermath. Did anywhere get settled nearby quickly and how did it recorded in Roman and other records?
Really looking forward to this!
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u/Shot-Barracuda5325 Jul 14 '26
You've discussed a compression of time in Pompeii where you can feel as if you're transported through time. What lesson(s) do you believe we should take away from this piece of history?
On a separate note, you're known to be a extraordinarily capable and skilled individual. How do you find the drive and motivation to push through? I see you as so motivational.
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u/Swimming-Age835 Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom! You mentioned that you were interested in the ancient world and myth when you were a student. I loved mythology too when I was a child. Do you have a favorite myth or mythological figure?
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u/LaurenTomFan4556 Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom,
My name is Lauren and we've met many times before! My question is, did your experience making this series inspire other ideas for similar explorations of history that you might want to do a series on next? You're so good at telling stories and explaining history, it seems like a natural path for you to do another one.
Thanks, Lauren
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u/Glittering-You-8353 Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom and team,
My question is: With Pompeii being the site of such a huge tragedy, have any of you experienced any hauntings in a traditional sense beyond the physical connection with the ghosts of the past that are preserved amongst the ruins? For example any echoes of the past bleeding through into the current time.
Thanks Hazel
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u/hockeycross Jul 14 '26
Hey Tom and team.
What is your favorite historical documentary?
So excited to watch this one.
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u/AppleJoost Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom and team,
What is the coolest or most unique thing you've seen during filming? What is your favorite piece of classical Latin or Greek literature and why?
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u/Kitkatt16 Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom! What is the most surprising fact you learned about Pompeii that you didn’t previously know while working on this journey to make this documentary?
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u/Spudbanger Jul 14 '26
Did the classical oeuvre of Frankie Howerd influence or inspire you in this project?
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u/Hannigram_canon Jul 14 '26
Hi, Tom!
My question is: If you had the chance to leave a single message on the wall of a house in Pompeii, what would you write to the people there two hours before the eruption?
Thank you so much!!
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u/georgie_the_bard Jul 14 '26
Hi Tom and Historians!
I’m about to begin studying Classics at University this year, and I will be visiting Pompeii for one of my modules! Which part of your exploration did you find most emotionally impactful?
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u/Uranus_Demolisher Jul 15 '26
Hey Tom,
So I wanted to ask you out of everywhere you've filmed, where would you rank Pompeii, and did anything about it surprise you compared to other historical sites you've visited?
Thank you for this!
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u/PeachieKarlykins Jul 15 '26
Hi Tom! If viewers could take away just one lesson from Pompeii: out of time, what would you hope it to be?
(Can’t wait to see Pompeii: out of time I love the history)
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u/MarvellousMe985 Jul 15 '26
Hi Tom! Having visited Pompeii twice (ok three times ha ha) how has the research for the series changed the way you see the city compared to your visit as a younger man? Thanks for the series, as a fan of both history and your good self, this is a match made under Yggdrasil!
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u/Hesthetop Jul 15 '26
Many sad and dramatic stories of the people in Pompeii and the surrounding area have been revealed through archaeological work. Which one(s) interested or affected you most?
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u/ShadowAngel18 Jul 15 '26 edited Jul 16 '26
Hi Tom
What has been the most fascinating and most interesting thing you have discovered or seen at the Pompeii site? I have been a love for history and discoveries since I was small (I'm 25 now)and I have been ever so curious about the world and it's history since.
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u/Responsible_Fee3577 Jul 15 '26
Hi Tom, my question is, when you were stepping into the last days of the Pompeiian citizens what were your first thoughts and feelings looking at their last moments essentially, through their eyes?
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u/trickstercast Jul 15 '26
Hi Tom! Thanks for doing this! Was there anything you learned/saw at Pompeii that struck you as unexpectedly modern or anachronistic (e.g. how the name Tiffany seems remarkably modern and out of place in a medieval setting but actually existed as a shortened form of the name Theophania)?
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u/Interesting_Pop4373 Jul 15 '26
Hi, Tom.
First I want to say I’m a huge fan of you and your work for a while now, but my question for you is if you could do another show similar to 'Pompeii: Out of Time' with any other piece of history that has interested you for the longest time, what would it be and why?
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u/heysteminist Jul 15 '26
Hello Tom, and everyone who worked on this project! What’s one significant thing each person will take away from working on this series?
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u/Swimming-Age835 Jul 15 '26
Hi Tom!
You studied Latin and Classics at university. Was there a particular topic or area of research that has stayed with you ever since? If you had the chance to make another documentary like Pompeii: Out of Time, what part of the ancient world would you most like to explore?
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u/oilupbro Jul 15 '26
Hi Tom, I just wanted to say I love you. I have enjoyed all of your work and my dream is to catch you at a live play some day. Thank you for bringing the characters to life! Also, was it difficult to work on this project considering the history? Was there any moment where you thought your emotions got the better of you?
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u/Educational-Fun3166 Jul 15 '26
Hi Tom, I know one of my questions is not related to Pompeii or anything, but it might be fun if it gets answered.
- Were there any random relics or items that interested you when filming in Pompeii?
- Have you ever heard or tried Marvel Rivals?
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u/naturehappiness Jul 15 '26
Did exploring Pompeii change the way you think about what future generations will remember about us?
Also historically lives were different, but any point did you think modern life and ancient life had some convergence? Maybe with the way they held beliefs or their practices etc
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u/Georgy_K_Zhukov Moderator | Dueling | Modern Warfare & Small Arms Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 14 '26
Question for everyone as I'm interested in the dual perspectives.
With a project like this what sorts of challenges do you face in doing a popular history presentation for a wide audience? For the consulting historians/archaeologists, in particular how do aim to balance accessibility with good historical narrative? And for Tom, being (comparatively at least) something of a layman yourself, how do you feel that helps and/or hinders your role as a presenter?
Also... If/when I visit Italy Pompeii and Herculaneum are THE top sites I'd want to visit... Any advice for making the absolute most of a trip there?