Vergilian Society Summer Study Programs: 2013

Vergil the Poet and Medieval Wizard: Literary Magic
July 29 - August 10, 2013

Directors:
Chris Ann Matteo
Ray Clark

We shall walk in the footsteps of Trojan Aeneas upon the acropolis of Cumae, in the Sibyl's cave, and at Lake Avernus, where he descended alive into the Land of the Dead. Vergil's immortalization of this landscape in the Aeneid resulted in many medieval legends attributing to him the magical power of transforming the landscape. Thus all the hot springs in the area were thought by medievalists to have been of his creation. With this and the Aeneid in mind we shall explore with on-site lectures the marvels of Cumae and other early Greek settlements set within the Flaming (Phlegraean) Fields and its environs, and explore places familiar to Vergil.

Itinerary

DAY 1. MONDAY 29 JULY
Group assembles (8:30 a.m.); departs (9:00 a.m.) from the courtyard of the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies, 19, Via Algardi (Gianicolo), Rome. En route to Cumae Lavinium, Terracina, Sperlonga; arrive at the Harry Wilks Study Center at the Villa Vergiliana, Cumae.

DAY 2. TUESDAY 30 JULY
Lakes Lucrinus and Avernus, Pseudo-Sibyl's grotto, Apollo's Avernian "temple." Cumae's acropolis, forum, Sibyl's grotto.

DAY 3. WEDNESDAY 31 JULY
Pompeii.

DAY 4. THURSDAY 1 AUGUST
Pozzuoli: ancient market-place, port, etc.

DAY 5. FRIDAY 2 AUGUST
Vesuvius, Stabiae, arrive Paestum for overnight.

DAY 6. SATURDAY 3 AUGUST


Paestum's ancient city with 3 Greek temples and museum. Overnight at Paestum.

DAY 7. SUNDAY 4 AUGUST
Velia's acropolis. Return to Cumae and Harry Wilks Study Center.

DAY 8. MONDAY 5 AUGUST
Vergil's tomb; Naples Museum.

DAY 9. TUESDAY 6 AUGUST
Island of Capri.

DAY 10. WEDNESDAY 7 AUGUST
Ancient Baiae and Castello di Baia.

DAY 11. THURSDAY 8 AUGUST
Capua, and Solfatara with its bubbling mud.

DAY 12. FRIDAY 9 AUGUST
Herculaneum and Oplontis.

DAY 13. SATURDAY 10 AUGUST
Depart Harry Wilks Study Center for Rome. Return journey can vary by hours depending on traffic. Therefore no departing flight should be booked prior to 8 pm; participants are advised to spend an additional night in Rome and to arrange for return flights on the following day.

Cost: $2595

Applications:
Mail in Application
Application via the Internet

Pay with a credit card

Scholarship application

Home