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The Appian Way: In the Footsteps of Emperors with Dr. Livia Galante

The Appian Way: In the Footsteps of Emperors with Dr. Livia Galante


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

Called the “Regina Viarum” or The Queen of Roads by poet Statius in the first century AD, the Appian Way was the first Roman highway to connect the capital to the southern coasts of the Italian peninsula. Lined with opulent estates, imposing mausoleums, medieval churches, and Christian catacombs, we will journey back in time to imagine life along this majestic thoroughfare.

Built by Consul Appius Claudius in 312 BCE to reach Capua, near Naples, the road was later prolonged to end in Brindisi in the heel of the Italian peninsula. The road has been flanked by magnificent estates since the beginning and today, the ruins of the ancient Roman villas are complemented by the luxurious modern-day mansions of Italian superstars like Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida, and others. We will visit the beautiful villa of emperor Maxentius with its well-preserved Circus for chariot races, second only in size to nearby Circus Maximus. Next, we pass by the Catacombs of Sebastian, the first built in Rome. Further on, we will admire the mausoleum of Cecilia Metella, one of the road’s most famous landmarks, as well as the Medieval Caetani fortress and the Villa of the Quintili.

Led by an expert on ancient Roman Topography, Livia Galante, this interactive seminar will focus on the Appian Way. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with new understandings of the importance of this first Roman highway and the historic structures lining it.

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 17 reviews
94%
(16)
0%
(0)
6%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
L
L. (Saint Paul, US)
Wonderful

Terrific presentation! We’ve been to Roma many times but have not visited the Appian Way. After this presentation, it is on our list of things to see in the future.

S
Suzette Shelmire (Oxford, US)
Appian Way

I have been intrigued by the appian way and all its historical significance and Dr. Galante taught me much - the early date - 325bce and how far it goes! and even the 4 layers it took to build such a lasting monument!

N
Nancy (New York, US)
A place out of the tourist jam

Surprisingly, Dr. Galante gives us an insider's view of walking the Appian Way, and I could not have been happier. Plenty of facts are jammed into this lecture, too, of course. But step by step, we leave the edge of the Palatine Hill and make our way to the villas of the stars, as in Sophia Loren, about 12 to 15 miles south with this very intelligent and enthusiastic professor as our guide.

V
V. (San Diego, US)
Fabulous and fascinating seminar

Dr. Galante clearly puts an enormous amount of effort into producing her seminars. Each one is exceptionally well-organized, deeply thought-through, and supported with terrific slides. This seminar on the Appian Way is no exception. Livia has the ability to bring the past to life while also leading us through history to how a site is today. Her explanation of the first 10 miles of the Appian Way was truly riveting and I wished I was in Rome to go off and walk it immediately.

S
S. (Carmel, US)
The Appian Way

Excellent presentation.
Visuals were an important part of seeing what exists on those 15 miles of preserved/restored Appian Way structures.
Now I want to go back and take another tour with Context Travel

Customer Reviews

Based on 17 reviews
94%
(16)
0%
(0)
6%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
L
L. (Saint Paul, US)
Wonderful

Terrific presentation! We’ve been to Roma many times but have not visited the Appian Way. After this presentation, it is on our list of things to see in the future.

S
Suzette Shelmire (Oxford, US)
Appian Way

I have been intrigued by the appian way and all its historical significance and Dr. Galante taught me much - the early date - 325bce and how far it goes! and even the 4 layers it took to build such a lasting monument!

N
Nancy (New York, US)
A place out of the tourist jam

Surprisingly, Dr. Galante gives us an insider's view of walking the Appian Way, and I could not have been happier. Plenty of facts are jammed into this lecture, too, of course. But step by step, we leave the edge of the Palatine Hill and make our way to the villas of the stars, as in Sophia Loren, about 12 to 15 miles south with this very intelligent and enthusiastic professor as our guide.

V
V. (San Diego, US)
Fabulous and fascinating seminar

Dr. Galante clearly puts an enormous amount of effort into producing her seminars. Each one is exceptionally well-organized, deeply thought-through, and supported with terrific slides. This seminar on the Appian Way is no exception. Livia has the ability to bring the past to life while also leading us through history to how a site is today. Her explanation of the first 10 miles of the Appian Way was truly riveting and I wished I was in Rome to go off and walk it immediately.

S
S. (Carmel, US)
The Appian Way

Excellent presentation.
Visuals were an important part of seeing what exists on those 15 miles of preserved/restored Appian Way structures.
Now I want to go back and take another tour with Context Travel