“She had always been fond of history, and here [in Rome] was history in the stones of the street and the atoms of the sunshine.”
– Henry James
About Me:
Hello! My name is Erin Flanigen. I am from Allen, TX. I will be a Junior at the University of Arkansas this year. I am an accounting and finance major at the Walton College of Business. I received the Walton College Scholarship. I hope to gain communicational skills and understand the trade of other countries. I hope to fully engage in the Italian culture and gain an understanding of Italian Art by taking the classes “Living in Rome” and “Italian Art and Culture.”
ROME: the eternal city, built in layers…
Major themes of Rome include Julius’ Caesar’s reign; he wanted to make a new order in a corrupt city, and became the first emperor of Rome. Julius Caesar declared to his army when trespassed that it was a “title of the lesson.” Later Rome became a Republic in 509 BC to 15 March 44 BC due to the death of Caesar. The empire began with Ottaviano Augusto by Constantino, and erected the Roman forum.
BLOG POST ONE:
May 22nd, 2019 – Introduction Day
- The Ancient Roman Civilization Shares: written language, a system of government, achievement in arts and sciences, and laws applied to everyone
- Architecture: arches, bridges, aqueducts (that pump water to the city)
- Religions: gods and goddesses, adopted greek methods
- Colosseum: provided entertainment, hosted gladiators, combat, and fights
- Mosaics: composed of decoration, glues, and base with marble stone or glass
- Civilization Themes: Persecution (AD 69- AD313.. catacombs), Constantine (AD 313 – AD 332…. basilicas and bapsisteries), in 1829 it was less divided with over 500 dialects
- Themes of Jesus: IXOYS/ XPO
Visit to the Colosseum: The Colosseum is under mass reconstruction to preserve the structure. The colosseum was used to provide entertainment to all Roman civilians, such as death penalties, ship wars, animal combats, and combats between gladiators.
BLOG POST TWO:
May 27th, 2019 – Guest Speaker Antonelli / Women in Rome
- Roma Women and Marriage ~ Women were used as a chess piece in Roman politics and society to marry whatever fit their family’s agenda, in a patriarchal society.
- Roman Women and Politics/ Society ~ Women were only able to participate in society and politics under the role of men in government and in the household
- Roman Women and Critical Issues ~ Women had little freedoms to challenge politics, have a voice, and be treated equally
May 29th, 2019 – Piazzale Ugo La Malfa, One of the 7 hills of Rome
- Church~ The Basilica of Saint Sabina is a historic church on the Aventine Hill.
- Mouth of Truth ~ Legend that if you tell a lie and insert your hand, your hand will be cut off
- 7 hills of Rome~ The Piazzale Ugo La Malfa is one of the three important hills in ancient times.
BLOG POST THREE:
Exploring the Amalfi Coast! The Amalfi Coast is a gorgeous place about three hours from Rome. You have to travel by boat. We visited Sorento, Capri, and Amalfi!
BLOG POST FOUR:
June 3rd, 2019
On this day, we visited the Christian catacombs; cemeteries that were built underground. Originally, catacombs were called dormitories and were a sleeping place. Once used as catacombs most tombs were sealed with terracotta or marble, but now open for people to see because of thieves. In 103 AD, two roman martyrs were killed for claiming to be Christians at the front of the catacombs. After the deaths of saints and martyrs, people tried to find their bones to harness special powers from their bodies. In 303 AD, the persecutions were finished. Christians wanted to be buried with the martyrs which initiated the catacombs. The Christians had many symbols that represented them: the fish and the anchor. These symbols showed Jesus as a good shepherd and symbol for hope and peace. Most headstones only showed symbols of anchors in the catacombs, they were also marked by their date of death and their first names. Many last names were not carved, so it is hard to understand the history of the catacombs. The Christian death day is meant to be the Christian birthday; they say “sleep in peace” instead of “rest in peace.” The tombs were made by early on grave diggers said to be engineers. The walls were easy to carve and still hold well to this day. Since the ground was so easy to form, they decided the underground catacombs were the best option for burials.
BLOG POST FIVE
Dinner in Monaco on the Miami Plage. Monaco is its own country located in the French Riviera. It hosts the Grand Prix and is extremely beautiful!
BLOG POST SIX
June 10th, 2019
Basilica Papale Santa Maria Maggiore
This church was erected in the 5th century. At the top center of the church reads “XYSTVS” and “episcopvsplevidei.” The Episcobals Bishop was the bishop for the people, before they were referred to as popes. This church was the first church donated to the Virgin Mary with representation of the cathedral above the bishop at the center of the church. The frescos on the walls were similar to comic strips; they told a story of the story of Jesus. The church has lavish gold ceilings, as many churches dedicated to Mary have. The church serves to hold special private masses of the Catholic faith. The Bernini family showed their homage at this Church. During the Baroque era, Bernini was one of the most important artists of this time period. He also aided in the construction of St. Peter’s square.
BLOG POST SEVEN
June 10th, 2019
Basilica of Saint John in Lateran
This church serves as the most important Catholic Church in the world, because it was the first Christian Church built out of hiding under Constantine. Under Constantine, Christianity was legalized and served as a defining factor of the people of Rome, even under Pagan representative government. Constantine donated his own land to the Christian community of Rome and it extended a few square miles, noted as the “donation of Constantine.” The ruins of the barracks for the bodyguards in this church were constructed during the Roman Empire under the Church. The walls were constructed 40 years earlier in dedication of Christ and John the Baptist. An alternative to imperial power of the first legal church occurred around 318-325 AD. Constantine fled the city of Rome and retreated to Istanbul, Turkey because of Pagan government control and the controversy of the church. The popes took control of the church at this time. Over 1500 years, nothing about the church has changed , because the strength of the church hasn’t changed which gives history its power. Inside the church is the Holy door that is broken down every 25 years by Christmas Eve that is celebrated in Christ’s name since 1300. This door is 1 of 5 doors that is open for the year, but the Basilica of Saint John in Lateran hosted the first door. As well as the Holy Door, there is also a cathedral at the center of the church for the Pope. Until 1962, the popes could touch the ground in front of people, because it was sacred as well as not touch any other humans. When the pope dies, they elect a new pope, alerting the public with the chimney smoke. Also, the pope dresses in different sizes of clothing to represent different agendas.
BLOG POST EIGHT
June 12th, 2019
Mosaic Making
Italian culture is exemplified heavily in their mosaic making. Mosaics around Rome represent Christian iconography and Bible stories such as the ones displayed in Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica. On June 12, 2019 we made mosaics that represented Roman culture such as the symbol for the republic of Rome and the colosseum. Mosaics are made by gluing marbles on wood; its glued down with a water base. The marbles were cut to match the spacing of the mosaics given as an example.
BLOG POST NINE:
June 17, 2019
Italian Street Art
June 17, 2019 – Italian Street Art On June 17, 2019 we visited an old slaughter house used by Italians to make meat. It was grounds to political debate that sparked debate over the land itself. We also saw beautiful street art by Italian artists who aim to make the area more beautiful. They seem to have specific artistic intent for the viewer. The most famous was the iconic wall of famous actors and political members that are all lined next to each other.
BLOG POST TEN:
June 17th, 2019
Dinner With a View
We had dinner at the “Upsunset” Restaurant in Rome. It has a beautiful view of the Vatican, especially at Sunset!
CONCLUSION
My time abroad truly changed my outlook on the world. I’ve never been to Europe before and for 5 weeks I was able to experience an entirely different culture, learn short phrases to communicate, and learn about Italian art over decades. I really didn’t expect my experience to change me this much, and I’m so happy I partook in this adventure. I’ll never forget the people I’ve met, my friends studying abroad, and my professors!
I truly gained a shift in perception, and feel capable of handling myself in new situations. I love the city of Rome and cannot wait to return!
Some of My Favorite Things I learned about:
| The Colosseum: During the Roman Empire period, was used for entertainment, Where Gladiators would fight, Christian executions, Neiro was the former owner of the land, during the Flavian dynasty, in an amphitheater setting |
| The Roman Forum: Where Roman Citizens would meet to exchange business and socialize, Has the Arch of Titus and the triumphal Arch of Septimus Severus |
| Cypta Balbi: Originally it was a huge courtyard annexed to the theatre built by Lucio Cornelio Balbo, an important man, close to the emperor Augustus, in the early first century A.D. Now the Crypta Balbi site shows us how Roman society and the urban landscape evolved from antiquity until modern times (water pipe to store water) |
| The Catacombs: Catacombs created in times of Christian persecution, was a “sleeping place” for Christians during the Roman Empire, had dedication to martyrs One of 62 Santa Medially miles of tunnels, 150k tombsFirst Christian Church of RomeEarly Christian Times and Medieval Age of Persecution (AD 69 – AD 313) |
| Saint Sabina basilica 7 hills of rome Stoned to death Rectangular style that inspired other churches Men practiced downstairs and women practiced upstairs · Stands on Aventino hill (one of 7)· Built on top of Sabina’s house (became a saint)· Recycled from pagan temples |
| Saint John of Lateran First legal church built Donated by Constantine in dedication to Christ the Savior Painting of pope holding over the city Represent the same traditions as today and use legacy as means of power Represents first festival of holy year with the holy door (every 25 years).. Calls for Catholics to get eternal grace Holy door = shortcut to heaven“Cathedra” Goes against typical 3 part basillica |
| Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere One of the oldest Churches in Rome Mosaic which was more realistic Jesus holding open scroll 200 years after Saint Cecilia Red, Green, white, and gold Passion of Christ, Hope of Resurrection, Faith and Presence of Gods Catacombs pieces on outside |
| Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore Housed the Tombstone of Bernini… Largest catholic church dedicated to Mary Built on pagan temple (underground)…. Art is in Comic strips to display the story of Jesus Gold leaf ceilings – from King of Spain |
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All Roads Lead to Rome 