The Jan Gadeyne Death March: Day 1

On the bus by 6.45, we were on our way to Sperlonga--the Villa of Emperor Tiberias.

It was amazing. He apparently lived right on the water (like the ocean was a "water feature" in major parts of his home). At least one of his dining rooms was situated practically surrounded by water. But what was most amazing was the Grotte (cave). It was a naturally formed cave that was plasterd and turned into the landscape to display sculpture. There were three groups in all: Odysseus and Wounded Achilles, the Scylla Group, the Polyphemus Group, The Stealing of the Statue of Athena from Troy, and the Rape of Ganymedes. You'll see pictures of the Scylla Group and the Polyphemus Group in the photo album. The others weren't worth putting up since they are like half a leg and a hand and somehow they recreated what the sculpture looked like--very interesting for Jan Gadeyne, very important (apparently) for me to know for class, not so interesting for me to send out to y'all.

We then hopped back on the bus to go to Baia. After having stopped all the traffic in the half-horse town of Baia (ancient spa-city for Rome...very hotty totty) we arrived at the archaeological museum. Here we saw (I'll have to describe it since we were not allowed cameras here) several cult statues from the cult of the emperors statues of the emperor, paid for by patrons, to be placed in the temple of the deified emperor for worship. Very cool. Several thousand (literally) plaster cast pieces which meant that a statuary workshop existed in Baia. Again, very ineteresting in the class-sense, not so interesting to pass on to you.

Back on the bus, we made our way to Pozzuoli where we saw an ancient amphitheater (the oldest in the Roman empire--even before the Colosseo--and best preserved). I didn't take any pictures above ground because, well, to be honest, you've seen amphitheaters. If you haven't rent Gladiator and you'll see a better version than what we saw. What was cool and what I did take a million pictures of was the underground of the Amphitheater. It is the only preserved undeground of an amphitheater that people can go in...very cool.

We then walked (hiked) down to the shore in the town of Pozzuoli to see the meet market. There are pictures of the market (note temple in back of temple--probably for Hercules, the hero/god of commerce). Also of the men's room--one of two. Sorry ladies, you had to hold it.

We then stumbled onto the bus and road to Paestum (ancient: Poseidonia) where our hotel was. Nice hotel. We were the only group there, besides the architecture seniors from Waterlook University (Canada). So that was nice...dinner and breakfast was included...good food even if they thought that we students would only want fried food and pasta...whatever.

Back to the room, shower and bed. Up early tomorrow for Pompeii!

Ciao,
RomanTraveller

p.s pictures as soon as photobucket will upload them...slow internet at the Residence...