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Ancient Roman City of Bath: Gods and Modern Pleasures with Dr. Alan Montgomery

Ancient Roman City of Bath: Gods and Modern Pleasures with Dr. Alan Montgomery


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Known internationally as one of Britain’s most beautiful cities, visitors have been flocking to Bath for over two thousand years. Famous around the world for its hot springs, ancient archaeological remains, and elegant eighteenth-century architecture, it’s easy to understand why this is a must-see city. This conversation takes participants to a virtual Bath to trace its history, explore its beauty, and understand its Roman foundations.
The Romans came to the place they knew as Aquae Sulis to bathe in its magical hot springs, and the ruins of their luxurious baths can still be seen today. A medieval abbey was later built by the site of the Roman baths, but it was in the eighteenth century that Bath again became the place to see and be seen, an elite destination where ‘taking the waters’ at the Grand Pump Room and socializing at the opulent Assembly Rooms were de rigueur amongst fashionable society.
Today Bath is known as much for its wonderful Georgian architecture, its elegant parades, and stylish crescents, as it is for its health-giving spa. We will take a virtual walk around the highlights of the city, which is now registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including sites such as the Roman Baths, the Holburne Museum, Pulteney Bridge, and the iconic Royal Crescent. Looking at Bath ancient and modern, this conversation will explain how and why it would become synonymous with sophistication and high living in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, home to such notables as Thomas Gainsborough, Jane Austen, and Napoleon III amongst many others.
Led by an expert in both the ancient classical world and its influence in more recent centuries, Alan Montgomery, this interactive seminar will lead us around the picturesque streets of the city of Bath, featuring its best-known buildings and monuments and discussing the people who created and inhabited them. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an insight into the long history of this uniquely fascinating and much-loved city.

Alan Montgomery was born and raised in Scotland but has spent most of his adult life in London. Having achieved an MA in Art History at Glasgow University, he worked for many years in the art world at both an international auction house and an antique dealer. In recent years he has returned to academia, achieving an MA in Classical Civilisation in 2011, and has recently completed a Ph.D. in which he analyzed eighteenth-century attitudes towards the ancient Roman world. In addition to his work for Context Travel, Alan also writes catalog essays on Contemporary Art for a leading auctioneer. Elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in 2017, his first book, entitled 'Classical Caledonia', was published by Edinburgh University Press in August 2020.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 22 reviews
91%
(20)
5%
(1)
5%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
B
Bonnie Blades (Bethesda, US)
Interesting presentation on Bath

This wide ranging and comprehensive lecture by Dr. Montgomery on Bath was most enjoyable and informative starting from the very earliest days when it was part of the Roman Empire throughout the centuries to the modern day. It makes me want to visit more than ever.

L
L. (Phoenix, US)
Excellent

Very well done and interesting. Makes me want to return to Bath.

N
N. (Winter Park, US)
Informative and stimulating

I found this seminar very motivating and plan to visit Bath as a consequence. I found Dr. Montgomery seminar, as always, informative as well as entertaining. He is an excellent communicator.

A
Anonymous (Orinda, US)

Guest did not leave comment

P
Paul Rivard (Québec, CA)
A real pleasure

Relax and enjoy this great talk!

Customer Reviews

Based on 22 reviews
91%
(20)
5%
(1)
5%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
B
Bonnie Blades (Bethesda, US)
Interesting presentation on Bath

This wide ranging and comprehensive lecture by Dr. Montgomery on Bath was most enjoyable and informative starting from the very earliest days when it was part of the Roman Empire throughout the centuries to the modern day. It makes me want to visit more than ever.

L
L. (Phoenix, US)
Excellent

Very well done and interesting. Makes me want to return to Bath.

N
N. (Winter Park, US)
Informative and stimulating

I found this seminar very motivating and plan to visit Bath as a consequence. I found Dr. Montgomery seminar, as always, informative as well as entertaining. He is an excellent communicator.

A
Anonymous (Orinda, US)

Guest did not leave comment

P
Paul Rivard (Québec, CA)
A real pleasure

Relax and enjoy this great talk!