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Exploring Paestum in Southern Italy: Ruins of Ancient Greece with Danielle Oteri

Exploring Paestum in Southern Italy: Ruins of Ancient Greece with Danielle Oteri


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

Did you know that scholars consider the most well-preserved Ancient Greek ruins to not be in Greece, but in South Italy? In the coastal city of Paestum, founded as a city dedicated to Poseidon,  temples were dedicated primarily to Hera and were known as a popular point of pilgrimage. The Romans took over, named the town Paestum, and built houses for the city's elite right on the temple grounds.  During this conversation, we will learn more about the profound historical narratives which mark this must-see destination. 

During the Middle Ages, it was abandoned when pirates from North Africa began raiding the coast, and the loss of the ingenious Roman drainage system led to swampy lands and malaria. Paestum sank into the swamp and was lost for centuries until it was repopularized in the 18th century as part of the "Grand Tour" made by elite families of Europe. 

But Paestum received new life when Mussolini drained the marshes. Its ruins also played a pivotal role in World War II as the site of the Allies landing in Italy. Together we'll look at Paestum's present-day remains, the vast pieces of the city that remain unexcavated, and the luxurious hotels and spas that are springing up in this less touristy part of Italy just 30 minutes south of the Amalfi Coast. 

Danielle Oteri is an expert on Roman, medieval and Renaissance art. She was a Lecturer at the Met Cloisters for fifteen years and has been Program Director of the International Center of Medieval Art since 2008. Danielle has written about art, history, food and travel for Conde Nast Traveler, Gothamist, NPR and Roads & Kingdoms. She is the founder of Feast on History and Arthur Avenue Food Tours.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 7 reviews
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A.S. (Berea, US)

Guest did not leave comment

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Ira Nerenberg (Saugerties, US)
Getting Excited

This is the second Context lecture. I took with Danielle about this part of Italy. We're going to Paestum in October 2024 and she makes it so exciting for me to do research before we go. I will look for other webinars with her.

A
Andrea Barron (Suitland, US)
Great tour of Paestum, Italy with Danielle Oteri

This is my third Context Learning experience with Danielle. She did a fabulous job teaching us about the Greek ruins in Paestum-- I had no idea that the best preserved Greek temples in the world are in Italy. Loved learning about Magna Grecia, the history of Paestum from ancient times until today, and how the Greeks dedicated their temples to gods and goddesses like Hera and Poseidon.

A
A. (Porto Alegre, BR)

Guest did not leave comment

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N.L. (Rhinebeck, US)
Danielle Oteri's Paestum:archeology and personal record

This was an enthusiastic, experienced account of a lesser-known site in southern Italy, Paestum. So worth visiting, Paestum is as beautiful as it is layered with history and art, with great images of buried wall paintings, beautifully preserved Greek temples, and all the features of town, meadow, mountain and culture which make it up. A great introduction for travelers new to Paestum. I prefer intensive art history and archeology, but I heard a satisfying amount of each and now would like to be also a traveler there!

Customer Reviews

Based on 7 reviews
100%
(7)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
A
A.S. (Berea, US)

Guest did not leave comment

I
Ira Nerenberg (Saugerties, US)
Getting Excited

This is the second Context lecture. I took with Danielle about this part of Italy. We're going to Paestum in October 2024 and she makes it so exciting for me to do research before we go. I will look for other webinars with her.

A
Andrea Barron (Suitland, US)
Great tour of Paestum, Italy with Danielle Oteri

This is my third Context Learning experience with Danielle. She did a fabulous job teaching us about the Greek ruins in Paestum-- I had no idea that the best preserved Greek temples in the world are in Italy. Loved learning about Magna Grecia, the history of Paestum from ancient times until today, and how the Greeks dedicated their temples to gods and goddesses like Hera and Poseidon.

A
A. (Porto Alegre, BR)

Guest did not leave comment

N
N.L. (Rhinebeck, US)
Danielle Oteri's Paestum:archeology and personal record

This was an enthusiastic, experienced account of a lesser-known site in southern Italy, Paestum. So worth visiting, Paestum is as beautiful as it is layered with history and art, with great images of buried wall paintings, beautifully preserved Greek temples, and all the features of town, meadow, mountain and culture which make it up. A great introduction for travelers new to Paestum. I prefer intensive art history and archeology, but I heard a satisfying amount of each and now would like to be also a traveler there!