![The eruption of Mt. Vesuvius destroyed Herculaneum—but may have preserved a lost library of Epicurus's writings. The eruption of Mt. Vesuvius destroyed Herculaneum—but may have preserved a lost library of Epicurus's writings.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_2644,h_1487,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/voltaxMediaLibrary/mmsport/mentalfloss/01h7xcypdkgdm87b2q6x.jpg)
![Ben Gazur Ben Gazur](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_180,ar_1:1,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/voltaxMediaLibrary/mmsport/mentalfloss/01fw71t8fs7fedjhgs4t.jpg)
Ben Gazur
Joined: Jul 7, 2020
Ben Gazur is a former biochemist who gave up the lab for the glitz and glamour of being a freelance writer. He has written for The Guardian, All About History, and Fortean Times. Specializes in history, science, and anything else that makes you go "Hmmm." You can follow him on Twitter @BenTheEpicure.
![The eruption of Mt. Vesuvius destroyed Herculaneum—but may have preserved a lost library of Epicurus's writings. The eruption of Mt. Vesuvius destroyed Herculaneum—but may have preserved a lost library of Epicurus's writings.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_2644,h_1487,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/voltaxMediaLibrary/mmsport/mentalfloss/01h7xcypdkgdm87b2q6x.jpg)
![Some believed the Virgil's poetry could be used to predict future events. Some believed the Virgil's poetry could be used to predict future events.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3300,h_1856,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/voltaxMediaLibrary/mmsport/mentalfloss/01g22tme2jk5wkcb06qv.jpg)
7 People Who Used Virgil's Poetry to Predict the Future
![A bust of Antinous as Dionysus A bust of Antinous as Dionysus](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/655299-gettyimages-1331244330-628f7cc7cdbba65cf8365cd074ea66fb.jpg)
Sex Symbol: How Antinous Became a Gay Code Word in the Victorian Era
![Nicola White discovered this antique gold and sapphire ring while mudlarking on the River Thames. Nicola White discovered this antique gold and sapphire ring while mudlarking on the River Thames.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/644059-gold-and-sapphire-ring-f7450bf68cd44fb7ac159740762a1338.jpg)
Extreme Mudlarking: How London Fortune Hunters Unearth Thames Treasures
9 Books That Predicted the Future
Some of these predictions came true in such eerie detail that you have to wonder though whether fiction is as fictitious as it claims.