Herculaneum, ruined city of ancient Italy, at the base of the volcano Vesuvius, about 8 km (5 mi) east of Naples. According to legend, the city was founded by the mythical Greek hero Hercules, after whom it is named. Herculaneum was severely damaged in the year 63 by a violent earthquake, and in 79 it was buried, together with the city of Pompeii, by lava, ashes, and mud more than 15 m (50 ft) thick during an eruption of Vesuvius.

The remains of the buried city were first discovered in 1706. Systematic excavations of the ruins were begun in 1738 and have proceeded intermittently since that time. The excavations have shown that Herculaneum was a popular resort area for wealthy Romans. Many of the richly adorned villas and the theatre that have been uncovered have yielded fine marble and bronze sculptures, paintings, and an extensive library of papyrus scrolls. These treasures, together with many other objects such as vases and domestic implements, are displayed in the National Museum in Naples. Herculaneum, together with the sites at Pompeii and Torre Annunziata, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.