I recently visited Italy and learned that Pompeii was known for it's wealth. I can't help but think that, had I lived in the countryside a safe distance away from the volcano, I would have taken a few friends a few shovels and gone after some of that gold. However it's my understanding Pompeii was not excavated until the 1700's.
Well this response from u/Isrulius Prior to Pompeii being rediscovered in 1748, did historians of the day or locals living nearby know of Pompeii and that it had been destroyed by a volcano, or had time erased the memory of it? might answer some of your question.
Edit: Conformed to link posting rule.