NEWSLETTER - The Mediterranean Society of America

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Julia Scott, President The area around the Bay of Naples is one of the most beautiful and historic regions of Italy. The region, known as Campania, comprises five provinces: Caserta, Benevento, Napoli, Avellino, and Salerno. The islands of Capri, Ischia, and Procida are also part of Campania. Since its founding in 1968, the Mediterranean Society has visited this area many times and will visit again in May 2017. This article describes some of the sites we will visit. Naples: The city of Naples is the capitol of Campania. The historic center of Naples is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Naples National Archaeological Museum contains one of the world’s finest collections of Graeco-Roman artefacts. Cumae: The acropolis of Cumae is one of the most beautiful and evocative archaeological sites in the world. The cave of the Cumaean Sibyl is located here; she prophesied by “singing the fates” and was a guide to the Underworld. The ancients believed the entry to the Underworld was located at nearby Lake Avernus. Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Mt. ­Vesuvius: Pompeii and its smaller neighbor, Herculaneum, were Roman towns near Mt. Vesuvius. They were buried in ash and pumice after the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 C. E. The ash and pumice preserved the sites until their re-discovery in the late 16th century. Pompeii and Herculaneum compose a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Amalfi Coast: The Amalfi Coast is a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site and considered an exemplar of a Mediterranean landscape. The coastal road winds past grand villas, beautiful towns, and ter-

Top, Naples and its Bay; above, Amalfi Coast raced vineyards. A leisurely drive along the Amalfi Coast will include stops in some of the towns for sightseeing and lunch. Capri and Ischia: Capri has been a summer residence of choice for the wealthy since Roman times. We will visit two villas, one ancient and one modern. Villa Jovis is the ancient residence of the Em-

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Spring 2017 Seminar on “Greeks and Romans in the Bay of Naples”

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The Mediterranean Society of America SO

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Volume 45, Number 1

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NEWSLETTER

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peror Tiberius and boasts a stunning view across the Bay of Naples. Villa San Michele was built in 1900 and was the home of the Swedish physician Axel Munthe. The villa and gardens also have stunning views of the Bay of Naples. Ischia is a volcanic island located at the northern end of the Bay Continued on page 3

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Mediterr anean Society of America Board of Directors 2015–16 Term ending October 31, 2016: Victoria A. Ashby Shirley V. Blackwell Linwood W. Davis Elisabeth Flynn-Chapman Elaine M. Themo Term ending October 31, 2017: Eugenia H. Borum Julia Proctor Nancy S. Saylor Julia S. Scott Carolyn H. Spencer Term ending October 31, 2018: Patricia E. Archer Meade Boswell Julian Ward Jones, Jr. William G. Stoops, Jr. C. Wayne Tucker Director Emeritus W. Douglas Gottwald, Jr.

Officers President: Julia S. Scott Vice President: Julia Proctor Secretary: C. Wayne Tucker Treasurer: Nancy S. Saylor

Mark Your Calendars! The 2016-17

Opening Reception will be on Sunday, September 11, at the Westhampton Center (formerly the Deanery)

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National Gallery of Art On February 27, Society members visited the National Gallery of Art for the “Power and Pathos: Bronze Sculpture of the Hellenistic World.”

Left. Julia and Barry Scott leaving the West Building with the exhibition poster behind them. Below, Travelers gather for their group photo at the entrance to the East Building.

“Greeks and Romans in the Bay of Naples” CONTINUED Continued from page 1 of Naples. It is known for its beaches and thermal spas, which take advantage of the island’s natural volcanic activity with hot springs and volcanic mud. Pozzuoli, Baia, and Bacoli: This area is approximately 15 km northwest of Naples. Pozzuoli, known in the ancient world as Puteoli, was the main harbor for the city of Rome until the construction of the harbor at Ostia by the Emperor Claudius. The ruins in this area include baths, villas, an amphitheater, and the Piscina Mirabilis, the largest Roman cistern still in existence. The Piscina Mirabilis provides a detailed glimpse into Roman engineering expertise and may have supplied water to the Roman Navy stationed at Miseno. The Archaeological Park at Baia has underwater ruins that can be viewed from a glass-bottomed boat. Caserta and Capua: The Royal Palace and Park at Caserta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Commissioned by Charles III in the 1700s, the palace is a triumph of Italian Baroque architecture and has been compared to the Royal Palace at Versailles. The ancient city of Capua boasted the best gladiator schools for training prisoners of war and slaves to fight for public entertainment. Spartacus was trained at a gladiator school in Capua, and the insurrection he led started there. An amphitheater and gladiator museum are located at Capua. Benevento: The Santa Sofia Church in Benevento is one of the principal surviving examples of Lombard architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The church was built around 760 as a personal chapel for Arechis II, the Duke of Benevento. In addition to Santa Sofia, Benevento is also home to the exceptionally well-preserved Arch of Trajan built between 114 and 117 to commemorate the completion of the Via Traiana. Villas: The Bay of Naples is home to many villas, both ancient and modern. Like the island of Capri, the entire area around

the bay has been a summer residence of choice for the wealthy since Roman times. We will visit the remains of ancient villas in Stabia, Boscoreale, and Oplontis. Paestum: The archaeological remains at Paestum compose a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city of Paestum was founded by Greeks from Sybaris in the 6th century B.C.E. The Greeks built three magnificent Doric temples forming the centerpiece of the site. There is also an archaeological museum. Modern Thermal Spa: The idea of salus per aquam, or “health through water,” is a pervasive theme in ancient Roman culture. It is especially evident in the area around the Bay of Naples, where many baths were built to take advantage of the thermal springs and warm volcanic

mud resulting from the volcanic activity in the area. In the modern era, spas have been built to take advantage of the thermal springs. Participants in the seminar will have an opportunity to visit one of the spas as an optional excursion. For this trip to the Bay of Naples, arrangements have been made to stay in one hotel in Pozzuoli for the entire trip. The hotel is in a location with spectacular views over the Bay, and all travelers will stay in sea-view rooms with balconies to take advantage of the location. The Society is engaging a certified guide for the Campania region to accompany us for the entire trip. Transportation will be by a private chartered bus at the disposal of the Society for the trip. The cost of the trip will include lodging, the services of the guide, transportation, all entrance fees, breakfast, and dinner with wine every day. The brochure containing detailed information, including the itinerary and costs, will be mailed to all members of the Society. If you know of others who may be interested in learning about the trip, please let President Scott have their names so that a brochure can be sent to them (jscott@ commund.com). Left, Capri; below, Santa Sofia Benevento

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Final Lecture The year’s final lecture featured Charles Brownell on Richmond’s Monumental Church.

President Scott with Brownell at the reception following his March talk.

At the reception Pat Archer and Brownell.

Also at the reception, Jan Van Horn, Carolyn Spencer, and John Canada.

July 22 Deadline for August 6 Excursion to D.C. Friday, July 22, is the deadline to register for the August 6 excursion to the National Gallery of Art for the special exhibition, “In Celebration of Paul Mellon,” and the National Geographic Museum for “The Greeks: Agamemnon to Alexander the Great.” If you know of non-members who may be interested in the trip, get in touch with Nancy Saylor (nssaylor@ verizon.net), who will send out additional brochures.

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Newport News Excursion

A Special Excursion in May took in Lee Hall Mansion and Endview Plantation in Newport News.

Top left, our guide at Lee Hall Mansion, Juanita (left front), with participants in the excursion. Top right, lunch was at Second Street. Left, Lee Hall Mansion provides the backdrop for the group photo. Below, participants with the two guides at Endview Plantation.



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The Mediterranean Society of America P.O. Box 14793 Richmond, Virginia 23221

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Be sure to visit the Society’s Web Site: www.mediterranean-society.org

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“Friends Traveling Together”

Contributing Members 2015–2016 Susan Ancarrow Victoria A. Ashby Janis C. & Frederick J. Augustine Betsy Ault Eugenia H. Borum Meade H. Boswell Mary Agnes Chun Edward J. Cook Linwood W. Davis Elisabeth Flynn-Chapman Richard M. Frazer, Jr. Elizabeth & W. Douglas Gottwald, Jr. Margaret D. Hicks Ellen Houck in memory of Joan Cornwall Julian Ward Jones, Jr. Marietta B. Jones Ann and Alan Loxterman

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Susan K. Murphey Mary Bryan Perkins Patsy Pettus Robin Price Julia and Jack Proctor Jane and Tony Ruffa Nancy S. Saylor Julia & Barry Scott Carol V. Sharp Anna Mae Shishido Carolyn H. Spencer Virginia H. Spratley Harold & Delia Stark Dr. Keir B. and Anne D. Sterling William G. Stoops Elaine M. Themo C. Wayne Tucker