From Greek Temples to Roman Holiday Homes: Sicily, Pompeii, and the Villa Oplontis May 28 – June 8, 2017

The School for Advanced Research is able to offer a unique opportunity to its members in a place that has been the epicenter of archaeological travel since the eighteenth century. We begin in Sicily with the Greeks and their acropoli, temples, theaters, and fortresses, some rarely visited, others like the Fountains of Arethuse, revered over the centuries—from Pindar to Pope. We cross over into Reggio Calabria, see the famous Warriors of Riace, then on to Paestum, and then into the Roman world of Herculaneum, Pompeii, and the villas of the Bay of Naples. The capstone of the trip will be an utterly unique opportunity to join the site director for a custom tour during the final field season at the country home of one of Nero’s more notorious wives, Poppaea Sabina. Also known as the Villa Oplontis, the complex features extraordinary frescos rivaling those found elsewhere in the ancient world, and its overall condition has made it the subject of one of the most comprehensive 3D visualization projects in the world. This is an opportunity not only to explore some of the most intriguing and inspiring places in the ancient world in a new way, but to experience Italy in its most sublime season.

Sunday, May 28: PALERMO (D) We arrive in Palermo on Sunday. During the evening we will have dinner and an opening lecture. Hotel: Mercure Excelsior Hotel, Palermo.

Monday, May 29: PALERMO (B/L) Our touring begins at La Zisa, a Norman-Arab mansion housing the Museum of Islamic Art. We continue to the Archaeological Museum, where the Salone di Selinunte contains fantastic architectural sculpture. Lastly, we view the Byzantine mosaics in the Cappella Palatina. Hotel: Mercure Excelsior Hotel, Palermo.

Tuesday, May 30: CUSA (B/L/D) We depart Palermo and drive to Cusa, site of stone quarries used in the construction of the Selinunte temples, which we next visit. It was sacked by the Carthaginians and then completely destroyed by earthquakes, but the temples of Selinunte are quite magnificent. We complete today at the Western Acropolis. Hotel: Colleverde Park Hotel, Agrigento.

Wednesday, May 31: AGRIGENTO (B/L/D) From Greek Temples to Roman Holiday Homes, p. 2

We begin at the National Museum, with its reconstruction of the Atlas-like Telamones and outstanding collection of vases. We continue to the Oratory of Phalaris and the Hellenistic and Roman Quarters. Next we visit the temples of Akragas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We begin with Hercules, the oldest; and continue to the beautifully preserved temples of Concordia and Hera, dramatically set on the edge of the ridge. Crossing into the western zone of the site, we view the remains of the largest known Doric temple, the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Hotel: Colleverde Park Hotel, Agrigento.

Thursday, June 1: SIRACUSA (B/L) We drive to Siracusa where we have a walking tour in the Old City, visiting the temple of Athena, now incorporated into the Cathedral, and the Fountain of Arethuse, famed in Greek poetry. Hotel: TBC 4*, Catania

Friday, June 2: TAORMINA (B/L) We explore Euryalus Castle, the largest military construction of the Greek world. We later travel along the coast to the medieval town of Taormina to visit the famous Greek theater. The panoramic views of the coastline and snow- capped Mt. Etna are magnificent. Hotel: TBC 4*, Catania

Saturday, June 3: CALABRIA (B/D) We take the Messina ferry to Reggio Calabria. A high point of the tour will be our visit to the National Museum to view the spectacular life size “Warriors of Riace,” found in the Ionian Sea and considered the finest bronze statues from the Greek world. We then travel through Sila Massif, covered with Italy’s most extensive forest. Hotel: Esplanade Hotel, Paestum

Sunday, June 4: PAESTUM & HERCULANEUM (B/L) We travel to ancient Paestum to tour its well- preserved Doric temples and extensive ruins of the ancient city. We also visit the site museum, which displays an important group of tomb paintings, including the “Tomb of the Diver”. We continue north to visit Herculaneum, sister city to Pompeii, also buried by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. Hotel: Hotel La Medusa, Stabia

Monday, June 5: POMPEII (B/L/D) We tour Pompeii, whose remarkably preserved villas and wall paintings have survived from the Roman period. We will have ample time to see the site in depth. Hotel: Hotel La Medusa, Stabia

Tuesday, June 6: STABIAE (B/L) We go off the beaten track to the villas of Stabiae, an exclusive Roman resort for the very

From Greek Temples to Roman Holiday Homes, p. 3 wealthy. The vast Villa San Marco is one of the most opulent along this coast - and remains very impressive in its scale. The Villa Ariadne gives wonderful views over the Bay of Naples and is remarkably little visited. We walk through the grand rooms, chambers and gardens in splendid isolation. We enjoy free time this afternoon to explore Naples return to Pompeii or relax. Hotel: Hotel La Medusa, Stabia

Wednesday, June 7: VESUVIUS & OPLONTIS (B/L/D) We ascend to the great volcanic crater of Vesuvius. Most of our journey is by bus, but the last part requires a short walk. We are rewarded with amazing views both down into the crater and out across the Bay of Naples, putting everything we have seen during the week into perspective. We spend the afternoon at the villa at Oplontis; buried and preserved, the villa is thought to have been the home of Poppea, wife of Nero. We will spend time with one of the Site Directors and discuss not only their findings, but the amazing work that is going on with 3D scanning. Hotel: Hotel La Medusa, Stabia

Thursday, June 8: Departure (B) We leave for Naples airport today, bound for our home cities.

Cost

$6,495.00 per person, price based on double occupancy Single supplement is an additional $834.00 per person

Price includes the following: · 11 nights hotel accommodation on B&B basis · 6 dinners (combination of hotel and restaurant) with ½ wine and ½ water · 8 lunches included with ½ water · All entries · Field notes · Tips to waiters, porters, and drivers · AC private coach throughout · Water available on the coach throughout . $500 donation to SAR A $960.00 per person deposit is required upon registration.

Difficulty level is MODERATE (walking on rough surfaces, navigating ruins, open and active archaeological sites, short hikes on stone, dirt, and foliage)