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Jewish Rome with Livia Galante

Jewish Rome with Livia Galante


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

Join a local expert for a brief history of the Jewish community of Rome as we explore the venues connected with Jewish history. We’ll look at everything from the Area of the Campus Martius (where later the Ghetto was established), Tiber Island, the Roman Forum, the former Jewish cemetery, the Jewish catacombs, Ostia Antica, and the oldest Synagogue surviving in the Western world.
Jewish Rome dates back to the second century BCE when a delegation was sent to ask the support of the Roman against the Seleucid King Antiocus IV. Since then, a Jewish community was established permanently in Rome and expanded to reach a remarkable number of 40,000 people during the reign of Constantine, in the fourth century CE. We’ll discuss how with the fall of the Roman Empire, the whole population of the Eternal city collapsed, including the Jewish community.
We’ll learn how the connection with the Church was quite ambivalent: as a matter of fact, the Jewish community had an excellent relationship with pope Leo X Medici in the early 1500s. After the Lutheran reform, the Catholic church started to impose stricter rules and we’ll discuss how the Jewish community experienced a long and difficult period of segregation in that area of the city called Ghetto. After the unification of Italy, the Jewish community briefly prospered until further persecution during the period of World War Two.
Led by an expert on Roman history, Livia Galante, this interactive seminar will focus on the unique history of Jewish Rome and the places where its community was rooted. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased comprehension of the antiquity of the Jewish community of Rome, of its role in society as well as a better understanding of how many places are connected with this community.

Livia obtained a degree in Archaeology at the Sapienza University of Rome and has a Master's degree in the History and Conservation of Cultural Heritage from the University of Roma Tre. Her main field of interest is ancient Roman topography and early Christian architecture; however, she is an accomplished scholar whose teaching ability extends to the Renaissance and Baroque Rome. As a native Roman, Livia is very enthusiastic about sharing the deep love and knowledge she has for her hometown with clients.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 14 reviews
86%
(12)
7%
(1)
7%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
B
B. (Silver Spring, US)

It was fantastic--clear, informative, encompassing. The visuals went well with what Dr. Galante was saying, and were inherently interesting. I was engaged every minute of her presentation.

A
A. (Orinda, US)

Guest did not leave comment

S
Sandra S -- Boston (Saugus, US)
Great Discussion of Jewish History and More in Rome

As always, Livia's lecture was well-organized, very full with information, and was accompanied by excellent graphics and photos. This was an interesting look at a community's growth from ancient to modern times. I received more information about the Stones of Memory embedded in pavement in Rome, having seen them when on a tour in Amsterdam. And, now am stimulated to learn more about the special hospital on the island in the Tiber River where a doctor helped many Jews be saved from the Nazi's with the false neurological disorder, "K Syndrome". Ending with a short presentation about Hannukah in Rome was perfect.

V
V. (San Diego, US)
Fascinating and informative seminar

Livia Galante's usual enthusiasm, knowledge, and joy in presenting the seminar's material were on full display as she led us through the history of Jews in Rome, starting with the first known arrival of Jews as emissaries in the BCE period all the way to today with how Romans celebrate Hanukkah, focusing of course on all the serious history in between. The slides were excellent too, as usual.

D
D.B. (Rock Springs, US)
Jewish Rome

Historical and ethnographic review of the Jewish presence in Rome

Customer Reviews

Based on 14 reviews
86%
(12)
7%
(1)
7%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
B
B. (Silver Spring, US)

It was fantastic--clear, informative, encompassing. The visuals went well with what Dr. Galante was saying, and were inherently interesting. I was engaged every minute of her presentation.

A
A. (Orinda, US)

Guest did not leave comment

S
Sandra S -- Boston (Saugus, US)
Great Discussion of Jewish History and More in Rome

As always, Livia's lecture was well-organized, very full with information, and was accompanied by excellent graphics and photos. This was an interesting look at a community's growth from ancient to modern times. I received more information about the Stones of Memory embedded in pavement in Rome, having seen them when on a tour in Amsterdam. And, now am stimulated to learn more about the special hospital on the island in the Tiber River where a doctor helped many Jews be saved from the Nazi's with the false neurological disorder, "K Syndrome". Ending with a short presentation about Hannukah in Rome was perfect.

V
V. (San Diego, US)
Fascinating and informative seminar

Livia Galante's usual enthusiasm, knowledge, and joy in presenting the seminar's material were on full display as she led us through the history of Jews in Rome, starting with the first known arrival of Jews as emissaries in the BCE period all the way to today with how Romans celebrate Hanukkah, focusing of course on all the serious history in between. The slides were excellent too, as usual.

D
D.B. (Rock Springs, US)
Jewish Rome

Historical and ethnographic review of the Jewish presence in Rome