February 1-2: Trip to Naples & Pompeii

Early in each semester, University of Dallas Rome students pack their bags, board buses, and head south to the Bay of Naples. The overnight trip, led by faculty and staff, is that of providing an introduction to the kind of educational travel that so enhances classroom studies on the Rome Campus. Naples and its hinterland are especially valuable destinations for UD Rome's educational travel programs, given that the area is hugely rich in Greek and Roman history. Not only did the Bay of Naples host some of the first colonies ancient Greeks coming westward, but more importantly it was one of the major hubs of the ancient Roman world.

The bus ride to Naples provides a magnificent view of the the volcano Vesuvius. Its eruption in AD 79 rocked the Roman world as it destroyed cities like Pompeii and Herculaneum, as well as the luxury seaside villas of Rome's richest and most famous citizens. Once in Naples, our first stop is at the famous Archaeological Museum with its renowned antiquities collection. Under the guidance of Rome faculty, students spend an afternoon at the museum studying art and objects from the ancient world, in particular the frescoes, mosaics, and objects of daily life recovered from excavations at Pompeii.

Departing Naples, the group heads further south to Castellamare di Stabiae, where they check into rooms at the Vesuvian Institute just in time to enjoy the sunset across the Bay of Naples. The evening brings a bountiful meal and a spectacular performance of music on ancient instruments.

The next day is spent in the ancient city of Pompeii. Covered by pumice and ash when Vesuvius erupted, the city was rediscovered in the middle of the 18th century and is still under excavation. Led by UD faculty members, students undertake a guided walk through the ancient streets, visiting bath complexes, theaters, temples, political buildings, houses and villas.

With its guided educational visits, the Bay of Naples trips allows students to fully immerse themselves in ancient culture. In this way, the weekend experience complements classroom study, for UD Rome students spend the first weeks of the semester studying ancient Greek, Roman, and Early Christian history, art, literature, philosophy, and religion.

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