The Hutchie Classics Department recently travelled to the Bay of Naples for an educational trip exploring some of the most significant archaeological sites of the ancient world.
The trip provided pupils with the opportunity to bring their studies to life, discovering first-hand the history, culture and daily life of ancient Rome.
One of the highlights was a visit to Pompeii, the Roman city famously preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Pupils also explored Herculaneum, another ancient settlement buried by the eruption, gaining a fascinating insight into life in Roman Italy.
The group also visited the Villa Oplontis, an impressive Roman villa renowned for its architecture and decoration, offering further insight into the wealth and lifestyle of the Roman elite.
The history of the region was explored further with a visit to Mount Vesuvius itself. Pupils walked to the crater and heard from a volcanologist, learning more about the volcano and the eruption that dramatically shaped the area nearly 2,000 years ago.
The trip also included a guided tour of Naples Sotterranea, where pupils ventured beneath the streets of Naples to discover a network of tunnels and underground chambers spanning more than 2,400 years of history. A visit to the Archaeological Museum of Naples provided another opportunity to explore artefacts and treasures from the ancient world.
Alongside the historical and archaeological visits, pupils experienced aspects of modern Italian culture, including exploring the picturesque town of Sorrento and sampling locally made ice cream at the renowned Gelateria David.
The trip offered a valuable opportunity for pupils to deepen their understanding of the classical world beyond the classroom, connecting their studies of Roman history and civilisation with the places, buildings and artefacts that have survived to the present day. It was an unforgettable experience, combining history, archaeology and the culture of southern Italy.
