Italy: Ancient Greek and Roman Culture in Context
This program is closed for winter 2010. We are no longer accepting applications.
January 1-21, 2010
ARTH 389R / CLAS 308 (3 Credits)
Greek temples. Ancient Roman cities. Beautiful Mediterranean islands. The Eternal City. The world’s greatest works of art. You will experience all of these as we explore some of the most important sites from Classical Antiquity in Ancient Greek and Roman Culture in Context.
Stabia and Pompeii
Our initial base will be Stabia, where we will stay from January 3 (our arrival date) until January 11, when we transfer to Rome. Itself once a seaside resort of summer villas for Rome's elite, Stabia is just 20 minutes by metro away from the greatest archaeological site from the ancient Mediterranean world, Pompeii--a vivid and living reminder of the Roman heritage. Visits to Stabia and Pompeii will consider not only the nature of public and domestic architecture and urban planning, but also important aspects of Roman culture, from commerce, to politics, to public entertainments (including gladiators).
Herculaneum and Oplontis
From Stabia we will also visit some of Vesuvius' other legacies. In antiquity Herculanaeum was a ritzy beach resort; today its remains feature some of the most elegant and sumptuous houses surviving from the Roman period, with beautiful mosaics and fountains. Oplontis is the site of the villa of the decadent and murderous Poppaea Sabina, mistress (then wife) of the emperor Nero. Its surviving portions preserve some of the most luxurious paintings and domestic architecture to come down to us from Roman antiquity. Lecture tours of these sites will explain the science of archaeology and how these places came to be excavated.
Paestum
Some of the greatest surviving Greek temples on the European mainland are at Paestum, to the south of Stabia. A magnificent site with a gorgeous pastoral setting, Paestum is at its best in January, set against the snow-capped Apennines, with wild flowers in bloom. In addition to the place of Paestum in the history of architecture, we will also consider the various religions and religious practices of the Greeks and Romans, and discuss the relationship of Greek and Roman culture.
Naples
We will also take a day to visit the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli where we will see one of the world’s greatest collection of Roman paintings, stunning mosaics, giant Hellenistic statues, ancient silverware, and the “secret cabinet” - a collection of ancient artifacts that for three hundred years was deemed too scandalous to put on public view. A visit to the museum will include a lecture tour on the basics of ancient art history.
Vesuvius, Capri and Beyond
There will be a number of visits to various sites as yet to be scheduled. Possibilities include an excursion up Mt. Vesuvius, and a visit to Capri, a beautiful Mediterranean island famous as the retreat of the emperor Tiberius. Other possible destinations will include Cumae, Pozzuoli, the ancient seaside town of Terracina, Tiberius’ villa at Sperlonga, Capua and Benevento.
Rome
We will spend 11 days in Rome (arriving Janaury 11, departing on the 22nd), during which there will be a series of on-site lecture tours: the Capitoline and its museum, the Roman Forum and Palatine, the Campus Martius, the Imperial Fora and Colosseum, and the Palazzo Massimo museum. Possible extra excursions include Ostia Antica, and the Villa Adriana at Tivoli. There will also be ample time to expand beyond the ancient world and consider its continuity in the art and architecture of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, as well.
Excursions on Your Own
The course has free time built in, for you to go off and explore on your own. From Rome it is an easy trip to destinations such as Florence, Orvieto, Pisa, or Siena, to name just a few.
Faculty and Staff
The Faculty Director is Prof. Anthony Colantuono, Art History and Archaeology Department. Please contact him for information about course content and itinerary.
For general questions about the application, registration and pre-departure logistics, please contact the Study Abroad Office.