At the beginning of the eighteenth century, three life-sized marble statues of women were found near Portici on the Bay of Naples. This momentous discovery led to further exploration of the site, which was soon identified as the ancient city of Herculaneum - one of the towns buried in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79. Since their discovery, these statues have become throughout the world as the "Herculaneum Women."This superbly illustrated volume presents, for the first time, the comprehensive story of these famous statues - from their discovery to the most recent interpretations of their importance. It also provides readers with a thorough analysis of their archaeological, historical, and artistic context.