Blogging from Terracina, Italy on October 7th, 2019
Steps taken: 15, 000 steps
Bloggers: Mila and Ben
As we awoke to torrential downpours and large thunder-storm clouds in Terracina, we knew immediately that the day ahead would be both LONG and WET. To prepare the troops for the coming monsoons, Professor Stewart ordered a quick stop at a local store (think an Italian Walmarto!). We stocked up on extra socks, umbrellas, and a number of FASHIONABLE rain ponchos. The bright green, blue, and pink garments were full length plastic gowns and effectively made our group look like a wobbling set of Tella-Tubbies.
As the rain continued, we drove to the Temple of Jupiter Anxur. Sitting on the borders of ancient Latium and Campania, the temple is located atop the highest point in Terracina and offers spectacular views of the seacoast and town. Re-dedicated to the patron god of the Roman State Jupiter, this temple would have served as a massive billboard of religion, militarism and trade shipping to the city people and visitors.
While the aforementioned description on the Jupiter Anxur Temple sounds picturesque, our visit was anything from forgetful. The Roman Gods sensed our presence as we summited the mountain and began looking at the temple podium, and Jupiter himself decided to hurl rain and more thunderclouds upon us. Dressed in our fantastic ponchos and rain gear, many of us were not fazed at first by the rain. However, as the roars of thunder crashed over our heads, we realized that we quickly needed to make our way to cover. Professor Stewart quickly went into action – at lightning pace if you will – in leading us through a tour of the temple.
After our morning in the rain, we went to Sperlonga to visit the Villa of Tiberius, a beautiful grotto used for dining. The Villa takes advantage of the natural cave formation to put statues of Odysseus and his comrades blinding Polyphemus in a natural alcove, Skylla attacking Odysseus and his men in the water, and two sculptures portraying scenes from the Trojan War. On top of the grotto, there is a statue portraying Ganymede and Zeus. The grotto had fish ponds around the dining table, which we learned was very trendy in the first century. After exploring the grotto itself, we saw the statues from the grotto in the site museum, where Mack translated plenty of Greek for us.
After a lunch of MASSIVE and delicious porchetta sandwiches, we went to Formia, Cicero’s hometown. We visited the small, local archaeological museum and saw beautiful statues, then drove past a monument to Cicero. Once we had checked into our hotel, we read Cicero’s First Philippic to discuss at dinner – a fitting end to our day.