University of Wisconsin Rome Program 2012: May 2012

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Ostia Antica

I was immediately impressed with how well preserved Ostia Antica was. I found it really interesting that most of the important aspects of the city were nearly perfectly preserved after about 2000 years, despite threats ranging from pirate raids to soil erosion. More interestingly, though, Ostia Anitca had enormous economic implications for the city of Rome and the Roman Empire as a whole. Ostia is often called Rome’s first colony, and was conquered by the Romans around 400 BC. Ultimately, the population in Ostia grew to as much as 60,000 inhabitants. However, the most impressive aspect of Ostia was its role in the Roman supply line. In antiquity, Ostia sat at the mouth of the Tiber River (“ostium” means “mouth” in Latin), and also along the coast of the Mediterranean. While Ostia was abandoned in 9^th century AD following the collapse of the Roman Empire, the city undoubtedly had enormous economic implications for the Roman civilization prior to its collapse.

The number of inhabitants in the city of Rome at the height of the Principate was immense; about one million people lived in the city of Rome, which created economic conundrums for the rulers of the Empire. Since the city’s population was so immense, it was necessary to obtain food from areas of the Empire besides Rome and its surrounding land in order to effectively feed the city’s inhabitants. Around 123 BC, Gaius Gracchus, a Tribune of the Plebeians, proposed a number of reforms that included a system of low price fixation for grain in Rome in order to make it easier to feed the masses. This was the beginning of a vital economic system that aimed to provide adequate sustenance for the enormous population found in the city of Rome.

Gaius’s ideas of fixed grain prices were eventually expanded upon, and Rome’s first emperor Augustus transformed the grain price fixation into a system called the “frumentationes” that gave free grain to 200,000 Roman citizens who lived in Rome. Under this system, grain would be imported into the city of Rome from other more fertile areas of the Empire through a supply chain called the “annona” and distributed for free to 200,000 recipients within the city of Rome; each recipient was given enough grain to feed two people. Grain would arrive in the city of Ostia by boat from far-off areas of the Empire and be stored in warehouses in Ostia (pictured) until it was ready to be transported to the city of Rome in large pots (pictured). While in Ostia, we were actually able to see the warehouses and pots involved in the wheat and grain transportation and storage, and also see the area where private guilds of merchants were located who likely played a part in transporting the grains.

I find this grain distribution system intriguing for a number of reasons. First of all, it appears to me that the grain distribution system amounts to a system of political control for the Roman ruling class of senators; the system is part of the reason behind the phrase “bread and circuses.” By appeasing the lower classes in Rome with free wheat (and competitive games), the Roman ruling class was able to distract the lower classes from their inadequate living conditions. Furthermore, this system demonstrates a degree of economic complexity present in the ancient Roman civilization that some may not initially expect. Their complex system of feeding nearly two-fifths of a huge city population has really impressed me, and it was interesting to see concrete elements of the system in person. Overall, after seeing Ostia and the grain distribution system in person I’m inclined to believe that the ancient Roman system was much more economically advanced than I initially thought.

~Kyle Woolwich

Le Domus Romane: A Trip through Time

Located in the Piazza Venezia just a few blocks from the monolith that is the monument to Victor Emmanuel II, sits Le Domus Romane exhibit. The Piazza was built in 1585 by Cardinal Michele Bonelli, Pope Pius V’s nephew. The museum is built on the ruins of Ancient Roman houses that lay under the Piazza Venezia. The outside of the museum was unimposing like many shops in Rome, but once we went inside the small entrance turned into a vast labyrinth of glass floors above the ancient ruins of the Roman houses. Once we were inside the presentation started with light projections illuminating the areas the narrator described, even outlining sections to show how the ruins would have been back in the 4^th century CE.

The ruins themselves were houses that belonged to Roman families of the aristocracy or senators during Rome’s imperial period. In the houses were private baths filled by water pipes of all different temperatures. There was even what today would be compared to a sauna, the laconicum, which was heated through the floor often with slaves burning wood while enduring brutal conditions. The different temperature baths would be recommended to those who could use them by their doctors dependent on their medical and physical condition.

After the many rooms of baths there was a room with the ruins of an ancient board game much like backgammon that somehow still remained intact. Next to that room was a “butto,” or a garbage dump. Despite it seeming unimportant, it was the part of the Domus that provided the most remains for excavation. Among the ruins were bones from food, broken dishes and vases, and even a turtle shell. Lastly not in the butto, but near it lay the statue head of Minerva, the goddess of weaving, war, and wisdom. Along the floor of the second house was a breathtaking mosaic, unfortunately split in two by the wall of a 16^th century Renaissance palace that was later built over its ruins. Most of the mosaic was still intact, but through the light projection the museum was able to fill in the missing pieces allowing us to see what it would have looked like in its former glory.

The second house also was so large that it had two floors, easily seen by the staircase that was the largest discovered in the area. Using the museum’s virtual reconstruction, we could see the expanse of the two-story house, imagine the wealth that would be inside, and see out to the courtyard or garden that would have existed during its time. However, it would not last forever as the Domus eventually collapsed from an earthquake. There is also evidence of a fire but it is unknown if the two were related. The ruins gave way to the Renaissance palace, then to the Piazza Venezia, to a library and theatre which many famous musicians such as Handel stayed at, eventually even to a WWII bunker. However thanks to the multimedia technology we were able to see what it would have looked like in all of its glory. The combination of old and new was reflective of much of Rome, as it is easy to see ruins right next to modern apartment buildings, which the locals seem to be used to but can lead to surprise at every turn.

~Colin Martindale

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Cerveteri

Today we traveled away from Rome to the Cerveteri. This is a large Etruscan cemetery dating back to the 9^th century BC; similar to the Tarquinia. Immediately I was surprised with how many tombs there were in the beautiful forest. One of the things the Etruscan culture is now known for is its burial of the dead. The deceased were buried in cut circular structures that housed entire families. What I found interesting was that the land was originally covered in tuff, not rock, which was hardened lava from a volcano eruption. Instead of building tombs on top of the tuff, the Etruscans carved into the tuff using pick-axes. This made for very precise work because they could not add back to the tomb once something was chipped away. It’s hard to believe how time consuming it must have been. Grassy mounds then covered these tombs and a small opening, that usually lead to one or two small rooms which housed the dead, was on the outside.

The Etruscans believed that once someone died they went to the afterlife. The inside of the tombs were created to resemble a home with bed-like formations often with pillows to lay the dead on. I was surprised that we could actually see the little pillows carved in the tuff, and see the individual rooms. When someone died, they would have a procession into the tomb carrying special objects, usually candles and vases, bring in the body covered under a sheet, and feast with the body before closing the tomb. There were different styles of tombs for families of different size and status. One tomb in particular which I enjoyed, Tomba dei Rilievi, housed 54 bodies all lying one after the other for a large family. Others we saw had only small rooms with a few individual beds for the dead.

Upon seeing the Cerveteri, I was initially surprised at how many tombs there actually were. There were so many different sizes and locations in the forest area, some tucked away under the trees and others larger with steps leading up or down to it. I was very impressed at how well preserved they were. Almost all of the tombs were accessible, and we got to go all the way inside. Getting to stand in the place that the actual Etruscans were laid to rest was a very surreal experience. This also made for a very interactive trip which really helped me to understand what the tombs must have looked like. I also really enjoyed the digital reconstruction done in the three tombs which outlined the places for the dead and objects in a typical tomb. It’s said that when the tombs were opened, all the objects and vases were broken, this could have been caused by an earthquake, or what I found interesting, a little mouse trapped in the tomb knocking things over. All in all, I found the Cerveteri to be in a very beautiful area with an interesting history.

~Kaitlyn Ryder

Party on… and on… and on at Tarquinia

Today we traveled two hours outside of Rome to visit Tarquinia. Tarquinia is a large Etruscan cemetery illustrating a style of burial practice dating back as far as the 7^th century BCE. There are approximately 6,000 graves craved from rock in Tarquinia with around 200 beautifully painted tombs.

Before arriving in Tarquinia, I was unsure of what to expect, as I was unfamiliar with the burial practices of the Etruscans. I had envisioned a burial site similar to a cemetery that we see today in the United States. However, instead of gravestones, I had envisioned a relatively flat field with a few mausoleums erected in memorial of the deceased. Upon arriving, I was astounded at the vast amount of tombs in Tarquinia as we saw many buried underground throughout a field organized by the families entombed there. I found myself to be most surprised by the large amount of tombs located below the surface, as we were only able to see the 3% that have been excavated by archeologists.

The Tarquinian tombs are characterized by their beautiful and intricate paintings on the walls and construction reflective of the architecture seen within their homes. This is a reflection of the Etruscan beliefs that an individual’s life did not end with death, however they transitioned into another life after death, a belief similar to that of the ancient Egyptians. A few images often depicted in Tarquinian paintings inside of tombs included, animals, columns painted to reflect the structure of their family homes, doors leading to the underworld, individuals feasting and taking part in symposium, which is a type of drinking dinner party event, and men and women dancing.

Men and women were often depicted dancing together and were buried as husband and wife, suggesting an equalitarian society between men and women unique to the ancient Etruscan society.

The image depicted here is the inside of the Tomba del Caronti, a unique tomb as there are two levels. The first level is designed with benches for family members to gather, as they often would, to have dinner and visit with their deceased loved one; a practice derived from the Etruscan belief that life continued on after death. As this picture illustrates, the lower level is where the tombs of the deceased can be found.

Doors are painted leading to the underworld and are protected by demons with hammers on either side of the door. I find it interesting that these demons seem to resemble a modern image of an angel.

The images within this tomb come from the Tomba Delle Leonesse. Within the image here, an underwater scene is illustrated including dolphins and various water features. Above the underwater sight, a group of men partake in a symphonic drinking scene including the deceased man with his guests under the painted columns of the tomb.

Once again, this image is derived from the Etruscan belief in life continuing after death. Overall, I found the tombs of the Etruscans at Tarquinia to be exciting and insightful to the burial practices and beliefs of the ancient Etruscan society.

~Lauren Tracey

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

The Colosseum

I couldn’t have been much more excited going into our Coliseum visit. Aside from being one of the coolest historical sites in Rome, it was our first full day here and I could not wait to get our adventures underway. It’s hard to say what exactly I was expecting, but I was most looking forward to a great view from the inside of the stadium. Everyone has seen beautiful pictures from the outside, but I know very few people who have had the opportunity to go in and walk around. I would definitely say that the visit exceeded all of my expectations.

The first thing that I found remarkable was the sheer size of the structure. The stadium could fit around 87,000 people, bigger even than Camp Randall! Their innovations in architecture such as the invention of cement and widespread use of arches allowed them to make structures like this far bigger than would have been possible otherwise. Even so, I can only imagine the amount of time and slave labor was required to complete its construction. Also, they managed to create a retractable roof out of canvas in order to turn the stadium into a virtual dome when necessary.

The other aspect of the Coliseum I found fascinating was the progression of the games themselves. They began initially as funeral games, eventually moving on to animal hunts, executions, and man on man combat. They even would occasionally flood the stadium and have aquatic battles on boats. Regarding the executions, I learned that Christianity carried a very negative connotation in the early Roman times, and numerous Christians were killed in addition to criminals, prisoners and slaves. Often Roman citizens were beheaded and others were crucified, burned or fed to the beasts. Without a doubt it was a very successful day 1 in Rome.

~ Dylan Lawrence

The Lacus Curtius in the Roman Forum

The sites and wonders of the Roman Forum astounded me, and there was so much that I wanted to see. One of the main sites I was on the lookout for was the Lacus Curtius. I took a class on Rome this past spring semester, and our teacher (Prof. Melissa Haynes) focused on the Lacus Curtius, a structure in the middle of the Roman Forum. The Lacus Curtius has an interesting mythology behind the structure, for it honors a hole in the ground and there are three explanations as to why it is there. The first and most common story is that a gaping hole appeared in the middle of the Forum and could not be closed until an offering was made. After many failed attempts to appease the hole, a young patrician by the name of Marcus Curtius mounted his horse while armed and jumped straight into the hole. It then closed up and let out a dove as a symbol of peace, and a monument was placed there to commemorate the brave young man.

The second story occurred during the battle between Romulus and the Sabines. Romulus was pushed back to the Forum area (which at that time was a swamp) during the fighting, and his chances of winning were slipping. One of the Sabine leaders, Mettius Curtius, fell into a hole while on his horse in the swamp, allowing Romulus to continue fighting and ultimately win the battle.

The third story comes from two consuls in 102 BCE. They said that lightning struck the ground at that spot in 445 BCE. Since it was seen as a sign from the gods, a consul named C. Curtius marked and fenced off the area.

According to the marble relief that is next to the Lacus Curtius, the Romans believed it was either the first or second story. Considering the popularity of the first story, it seems likely that it could be the young patrician, but unfortunately we will never know.

Although I knew the Lacus Curtius was just a hole in the ground, I found it to be interesting. I thought there would be a deeper hole, but it appears that it is just a circle of stones. The plaque with the horse and rider was neat, because it honored the safety of Rome. No matter which of the main two stories someone believed, someone plunging into the ground on a horse saved Rome from destruction. Through this monument I could see a reminder of the sacrifice that Romans had to make in order to keep Rome thriving. In this way, the Lacus Curtius reinforced my understanding of the state coming first and the importance of remembering past trials that Rome survived through.

~Bridget McMahon

The Roman Forum and the Temple of Vesta

My expectations of the Forum were surpassed ten fold on our first day of tours. I was in constant awe. Everywhere I turned there was a new sight and structure to behold. I was most impressed by the three arches dedicated to Constantine, Septimius Severus, and Titus. What amazed me the most were their ornate detail, scale, and preservation.

The Roman Forum was ancient Rome’s civic and religious center and is the oldest part of the city. From the House of Augusta on the Palatine Hill, the scenic view of the Forum area in the valley below encompasses numerous political and religious structures including temples, churches, palaces, and houses. It was the site for triumphal processions, political meetings, speeches, legal cases, elections, criminal trials, and religious ceremonies. What began as a marshy basin became the power center of the Roman state. The geography of the Forum makes the area an easy place to defend and fortify, with the surrounding hills and the Tiber River creating natural barriers.

After going through the Arch of Titus you run into the few fragments left of the Temple of Vesta, which honored the goddess of the hearth. Under the Republic, Vesta symbolized the heart and health of the Roman State. Within the temple there was a sacred fire, which was never to be put out. The sacred duty of caring for the fire was carried out by the six Vestal Virgins. The Pontifex Maximus, or chief priest of Rome chose a Vestal. A woman entered between the ages of 6 and 10 and served for a period of 30 years. After 30 years they could marry and have a family. If accused of losing her virginity, a vestal was buried alive in a stone tomb and given enough food and water for a few days. If the fire in the temple went out they were whipped. At times the Vestals were used as scapegoats and were sometimes punished if Rome had a crisis. The vestals were also given privileges usually reserved for men, because they were not subject to the patria potestas. They could vote, make a will, and own property. They could free condemned prisoners and slaves by touching them and if a person sentenced to death saw a vestal on the way to his execution, he was pardoned. If a person injured a vestal in any way they were put to death. Next to the Temple of Vesta at the foot of the Palatine Hill is the Atrium Vestae, or the house of the Vestal Virgins, which is now filled with gardens and foliage, like many of the run down Roman architectures seen today.

What struck me about the Forum was the vastness of the area littered with amazing architectural feats, seen almost in its entirety by just standing in the Forum itself. It is also impressive that it has been continually reconstructed since the time of the Romans, with Christianity influencing many of the structures there today, such as the Senate House and the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina.

~Pat Soberg