Directors: Ann O. Koloski-Ostrow (Brandeis University), Steven E. Ostrow (M.I.T.)

This session will focus on the social history of ancient Greeks, Romans, and others along Naples Bay. We explore the everyday, momentary facts of ancient life in the street, bathing in public and private, the morning salutatio in the houses of the rich, selling in the market, visiting the latrine, worship and sacrifice. The palatially housed and the homeless, the over-stuffed and the under-nourished, the free-born, the freedman, and the slave--all this host we shall visit amidst the natural beauty and man-made landscape that lie in the shadow of Vesuvius. Overnight accommodation will for the most part be in the Society's own Villa Vergiliana at Cumae, except for our two-night stay on Capri. All meals included, EXCEPT 2 lunches on Capri.

Day-by-day Itinerary

August 2009 3 Monday:
9:00 a.m.: assemble at the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome (19 Via Algardi) (in the "Monteverde Vecchio" neighborhood, atop Rome's Gianicolo hill) immediate departure for Villa Vergiliana; visit Terracina ("Jupiter Anxur" Temple) & Sperlonga (Villa & Grotto of Tiberius, Museum)

4 Tuesday:
a.m.: acropolis of Cumae (with its temples and the "Sibyl's Grotto") -- Greeks arrive in Italy, their religion intact; Vergil's words, Augustan hopes
p.m.: Pozzuoli I (Puteoli) (with initial overview of Lake Avernus): Macellum, Harbor -- Roman town implanted among the Greeks; Solfatara (the living geology of the "Phlegraean Fields");

5 Wed.:
Pompeii: the public town (Forum, theaters, baths, religion), & domestic life (sampling of houses, great & small)

6 Thurs.:
a.m.: Naples Archaeological Museum: spoils of the great "Treasure Hunt"
p.m.: walking tour of central Naples

7 Friday:
Paestum (site and museum) -- "Poseidon's City" born Greek, Italianized, then Romanized

8 Sat.:
a.m.: Pozzuoli II (Puteoli: Amphitheater) Capua (Museum, Amphitheater, Mithraeum)
p.m.: Reggia (Royal Palace) at Caserta (an Italian "Versailles")

9 Sunday:
Beneventum -- Roman Imperial flavor stamped upon Italy; Saepinum -- the Samnites and Romanization

10 Monday:
a.m.: Herculaneum -- mansions for the rich, tenements for the poor; bathing; "frat house" for wealthy ex-slaves
p.m.: ascent of Mount Vesuvius (by bus and foot)

11 Tuesday:
a.m.: Villa at Oplontis (Torre Annunziata): Housing for an Empress?
p.m.: travel to island of Capri

12: Wed.:
a.m.: Capri --"Villa Iovis": Housing for the Emperor (Tiberius' ultimate retreat)
p.m.: optional excursions (Villa San Michele, Monte Solaro chairlift...)

13 Thurs.:
at leisure on Capri; late p.m. return to Villa Vergiliana, Cumae

14 Friday:
The Western Edge of Naples Bay: Baiae, Bacoli, Misenum -- Imperial Baths, Piscina Mirabile, Vergilian echoes -- water needs of the Roman ruling class, the Roman poor, the Roman sailor

15 Sat.:
a.m.: Naples: National Art Gallery of Capodimonte
p.m.: departures

Price: $2,395 single supplement (when available) $300

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