follow-up on Rome trip - see "Stacy says spqr" for first letter. I think I want to be her!
Friends,
My time in Rome is coming to a close. I'm more than glad that I've spent my
summer here, but I suppose it's time to go home. And I have gotten more
sleep--thanks for asking.
Though my final presentation and exam are officially *finito* (no word yet
on whether I actually passed), I will try to remember some highlights from
the last part of the program...
Ostia
....is the gleaming port city of Rome. That means they get control of all the
salt commodities and a hexagonal harbor all to themselves. Right there on
the sea (or at least where the sea used to be, so I've been told). The
remains at ancient Ostia are reminiscent of Pompei--since blocks and blocks
of city are just right there, open to tourists (and student
archaeologists)--but there's less tragedy (since there was no violent
volcanic eruption and all).
Hadrian's Villa
....is an understatement. Try "ginormous imperial amusement park." This guy
built his own lake, with his own island in the middle, with his own bridges
to destroy behind him if he wanted some alone time. Plus there's that whole
thing with the dining room under the waterfall. And a large Egyptian pool
that may or may not be symbolic of something else...
Baths
....are wonderful examples of Roman innovation in architecture. From Trajan
to Caracalla to Diocletian, the emperors knew just how to appeal to the
masses: lots of concrete. Plus water. Maybe some decorations.
Augustus and Agrippa
....built lots of cool things, but check out these special ones: We threaded
some back alleys and lined some pockets to see the remains of the horologium
(that's a sundial, by the way; below the water level these days). And then
there's this little building known as the Pantheon (which isn't little at
all; a most impressive dome!).
The Colosseum
....represents a sick and broken side of human history. Ironic, isn't it,
that this is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world? The
building is nonetheless impressive, even beautiful.
The Vatican
....is full of secret places and guarded by very attractive men (try
searching for images of the Swiss Guard). Several trips yielded access to
the classical collections (Laocoon! Augustus from Prima Porta! an
unidentified marble bust!) and the cemetery excavations below the Basilica,
where I saw what may, according to tradition, in all likelihood, possibly be
the remnants of St. Peter (perhaps the official word is "relics") at the top
of an ancient Roman cemetery.
My sojourns into more modern art include the Galleria Borghese (I can't
decide whether I love Apollo and Daphne or Persephone and Pluto more),
Bernini's ubiquitous fountains, and chalk drawings on the sidewalk. I
suppose I can say I visited the Sistine Chapel, too, because I did, but the
most exciting thing there was the guard trying to get everyone to quiet
down...
During these last few days, we're concluding our Roman history tour with
visits to the catacombs and the excellent Museum of Roman Civilization (the
only museum without any real artifacts inside! but it houses the
gallery-size plastico model of the City). Hopefully we also get some great
farewell food.
....and much, much more!
That's all I have to say. : )
Thanks for your notes, thoughts, and prayers during my adventure. If you'd
love to hear more, let me know; in fact, one of the reasons I'm longing for
home is because I'm bursting to share.
Arrivederci,
Stacy
My time in Rome is coming to a close. I'm more than glad that I've spent my
summer here, but I suppose it's time to go home. And I have gotten more
sleep--thanks for asking.
Though my final presentation and exam are officially *finito* (no word yet
on whether I actually passed), I will try to remember some highlights from
the last part of the program...
Ostia
....is the gleaming port city of Rome. That means they get control of all the
salt commodities and a hexagonal harbor all to themselves. Right there on
the sea (or at least where the sea used to be, so I've been told). The
remains at ancient Ostia are reminiscent of Pompei--since blocks and blocks
of city are just right there, open to tourists (and student
archaeologists)--but there's less tragedy (since there was no violent
volcanic eruption and all).
Hadrian's Villa
....is an understatement. Try "ginormous imperial amusement park." This guy
built his own lake, with his own island in the middle, with his own bridges
to destroy behind him if he wanted some alone time. Plus there's that whole
thing with the dining room under the waterfall. And a large Egyptian pool
that may or may not be symbolic of something else...
Baths
....are wonderful examples of Roman innovation in architecture. From Trajan
to Caracalla to Diocletian, the emperors knew just how to appeal to the
masses: lots of concrete. Plus water. Maybe some decorations.
Augustus and Agrippa
....built lots of cool things, but check out these special ones: We threaded
some back alleys and lined some pockets to see the remains of the horologium
(that's a sundial, by the way; below the water level these days). And then
there's this little building known as the Pantheon (which isn't little at
all; a most impressive dome!).
The Colosseum
....represents a sick and broken side of human history. Ironic, isn't it,
that this is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world? The
building is nonetheless impressive, even beautiful.
The Vatican
....is full of secret places and guarded by very attractive men (try
searching for images of the Swiss Guard). Several trips yielded access to
the classical collections (Laocoon! Augustus from Prima Porta! an
unidentified marble bust!) and the cemetery excavations below the Basilica,
where I saw what may, according to tradition, in all likelihood, possibly be
the remnants of St. Peter (perhaps the official word is "relics") at the top
of an ancient Roman cemetery.
My sojourns into more modern art include the Galleria Borghese (I can't
decide whether I love Apollo and Daphne or Persephone and Pluto more),
Bernini's ubiquitous fountains, and chalk drawings on the sidewalk. I
suppose I can say I visited the Sistine Chapel, too, because I did, but the
most exciting thing there was the guard trying to get everyone to quiet
down...
During these last few days, we're concluding our Roman history tour with
visits to the catacombs and the excellent Museum of Roman Civilization (the
only museum without any real artifacts inside! but it houses the
gallery-size plastico model of the City). Hopefully we also get some great
farewell food.
....and much, much more!
That's all I have to say. : )
Thanks for your notes, thoughts, and prayers during my adventure. If you'd
love to hear more, let me know; in fact, one of the reasons I'm longing for
home is because I'm bursting to share.
Arrivederci,
Stacy
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