The Christians are tossed into the arena to be devoured by a lion , but Glaucus frees himself , slays the lion , and defeats two gladiators sent to kill him . A band of bow-men , who are actually Antonius and Glaucus ' masked friends , arrive and open fire on the royal box , killing Gallinus . As the city troops arrive to stop them , Mount Vesuvius erupts . In the chaos , everyone tries to escape . Julia and Arbaces are crushed at the temple of Isis by the godess ' toppling idol while trying to retrieve their treasure . Nydia is mortally wounded by falling debris , and Antonius remains by her side as the city is buried in ashes . Glaucus swims through a burning harbor . With Ione , he survives Pompeii 's destruction , sailing toward open sea
erupts
Eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79
The Last Days of Pompeii (1959 film)