INTRODUCTION Rome, the Eternal City, is a city of living history. To walk among the city's storied ruins, winding streets, fountains, palaces, and churches is to walk through the pages of history and encounter famous emperors, saints, and artists, but also the ancient Romans unknown to us who filled the seats of the Colosseum, walked the Sacred Way in the Roman Forum, enjoyed the Roman Baths, and witnessed history in the making since its founding in 753 BCE. Join UGA faculty to experience unique tours and visits to Rome's most iconic sites and monuments. UGA in Rome is one of the two founding study abroad programs at UGA with UGA Cortona in 1970. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The program explores the archaeology, art, and cultural history of Rome to explore its many historical layers from its origins to the modern era. Experience first-hand the monuments of ancient Rome, centuries old churches and palaces, famous art collections, and urban features that were imitated in Europe and the Americas. Day trips outside the city include visits to the Etruscan sites of Tarquinia and Cerveteri, Hadrian’s villa and the Villa d’Este at Tivoli, and other venues. The group takes a multi-day trip to the Bay of Naples to visit Pompeii and other ancient sites buried by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, the Naples National Archaeological Museum, the Greek temples at Paestum, and other ancient remains in Campania. A second multi-day trip to Pienza and Florence, Tuscany. Students enroll in 3 courses (9 credit hours total): CLAS4350 Ancient Rome and CLAS4400 The Art of Rome and CLAS4305 The Urban Tradition of Rome OR LATN4405 The Latin Tradition of Rome. The program is physically challenging and may not be suitable for all students. Participation is limited to a maximum of 20 students with preference given to students who declare a Classics Minor. All three of the program's courses (9 credit hours total) count towards the Classics Minor (15 credit hours of advanced course work). The program also fulfills the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences Experiential Learning requirement. add pe. may be taken to satisfy the core curriculum requirement for physical education. TOPICS From the Parthenon in Athens, Greece to the Academia Gallery in Florence, Tuscany Countries: Italy and Greece Academic Goals: Before Rome: Classical Greek and Etruscan precursors influences on ancient Rome and culture. Humanism and the development of Renaissance Rome. PROGRAM DIRECTOR AND FACULTY Mario Erasmo is the Managing Director of the UGA in Rome Program. He is Professor and Head of Classics at the University of Georgia, specializing in the Legacy of Classical Antiquity, the Cultural History of Death, and the Meta-theatricality of Ancient Rome. He has published widely on the city of Rome, Death, and Theatricality. He is an Associate Faculty Member of the UGA Center for Archaeological Sciences. Andres Matlock is the Program Director. He is an Assistant Professor of Classics at the University of Georgia. His research ranges widely over ancient and modern approaches to philosophical ideas, especially time, nature, and change. Christian Langer is the Program Faculty Member. He is an Assistant Professor of Classics at the University of Georgia. His research ranges widely over Legacy of Ancient Egypt, Egyptian Political Economy and International Relations, Labor and Migration History, Politics of the Past, Transcultural Exchanges and Data Analytics Pedagogy. COURSES CLAS 4350: Ancient Rome Credits: 3Course Description: Examination of the archaeological, literary, and topographical evidence for the ancient city of Rome, from the Regal period through the fourth century A.D., with special emphasis on the architectural development of the urban/suburban continuum in ancient Rome and its environs.Meeting date(s): TBAInstructor: Department: UGA Department of ClassicsE-mail: CLAS 4400: The Art of Rome Credits: 3Course Description: Examination of Roman art from the Regal period through the fourth century A.D., with special emphasis on its production in the city of Rome and in Italy and its relationship to Etruscan, Greek, and Italic art.Meeting date(s): TBAInstructor: Department: UGA Department of ClassicsE-mail: CLAS 4305: The Urban Tradition of Rome Credits: 3Course Description: Special topics in the civilization of ancient Greece and Rome. Topics will vary as demand requires.Meeting date(s): TBAInstructor: Department: UGA Department of ClassicsE-mail: OR LATN 4405: The Latin Tradition of Rome (when offered) Credits: 3Course Description: Readings in one or more Latin authors or genres. Topics to be selected on the basis of student needs.Meeting date(s): TBAInstructor: Department: UGA Department of ClassicsE-mail: Total: 9 Credit Hours PROGRAM DATES 2026 May 23rd, 2026 - All participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to Athens, Greece at the start of the program and from Rome, Italy at the end of the program. In order to arrive in Athens, Greece on May 24th for the official start of the program, May 23rd is the last possible day to depart the United States. All other travel within Europe is included in the program fee. May 24th, 2026 - Official start of the program June 24th, 2026 - Official end of the program June 25, 2026 - Departure from Rome PROGRAM ITINERARY (TENTATIVE) Athens, Greece The Acropolis: Parthenon, Theatre of Dionysus, Areopagus New Acropolis Museum Ancient and Roman Agora National Archaeological Museum Rome, Italy Seven Hills of Rome Imperial Fora Via Appia Antica and Catacombs of St. Sebastiano Piazza del Campidoglio and Capitoline Museums Pantheon and Piazza Navona Area Piazza del Popolo are and Museum of Augustus Baths of Diocletian and Piazza della Repubblica area Medieval Rome and the former Ghetto Trastevere and the Janiculum Hill Renaissance Rome: Rachael Rooms, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica and Vatican Grottoes Baroque Rome (Quirinal Hill; Trevi Fountain; Spanish Steps) Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica Tarquinia Monterozzi Etruscan Necropolis; Archaeological Museum Cerveteri Banditaccia Etruscan Necropolis Bay of Naples Area Pompeii Paestum Naples Option to visit Herculaneum and Sorrento Tivoli Hadrian's Villa Villa d'Este Pienza, Tuscany Duomo Florence, Tuscany Roman Florence Galleria dell' Accademia (Michelangelo's David) HOUSING AND MEALS All hotels are centrally located and include breakfast and access to WiFi (occasionally for a fee). Several group meals are included, otherwise, students have many food options at various price points as opportunities to interact with the local culture and people. PROGRAM COSTS Click here for program cost information.* *Subject to change. Amount does not include tuition or flights to and from Europe. See bursar.uga.edu for tuition rates. The cost of the program includes: Program Deposit (due after acceptance to program) - applied towards total program cost International Health Insurance (UGA requirement) Transportation on excursions on the program itinerary (charter coach; metro bus or train) Admission to sites and museums on the program itinerary Airfare and Eurostar travel within Europe Shared hotel accommodations (twin room) including breakfast Scheduled group meals on select days on the program itinerary *Students who are not residents of Georgia or do not attend a University System of Georgia University or College pay an additional $250.00.
