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Ancient Rome: Life, History, Literature and the Spread of Christianity

Program Number: 19623RJ
Start and End Dates:
7/8/2013 - 7/14/2013;
Duration: 6 nights
Location: Jerome, Idaho
Price starting at: $698.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: History & Culture; Philosophy & Religion
Meals: 17; 6 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 6 Dinners    
Meal Options: Gluten Free; Low Salt; Low Fat; Vegetarian    

The engineering, language and literature of Classical Rome underpin the culture of the European nations and have contributed greatly to the modern world. How did Rome come to be and how did it grow to an enormous empire? With a diverse team of Latinists, classicists, religious and art historians, delve into the story of this Western Empire, learn how the Romans lived and how they contributed to the development of Christianity, literature and the arts.




Highlights

• In lively expert-led presentations, learn about Rome and its great historic characters from Julius Caesar and Nero to Ovid and Virgil.
• Take in the diverse natural wonders of Idaho during field trips to Malad State Park and the Hagerman Fossil beds.
• A pontoon boat ride along the Snake River offers spectacular views of the surrounding canyon followed by a picnic at Centennial Park in Twin Falls.



Activity Particulars

Minimal walking. Must be able to get on and off buses.



Coordinated by Benedictine Monastery of the Ascension.




Jerome (Idaho)

Surrounded by bountiful farmlands and bordering on the Snake River Canyon, Jerome county has 16,000 residents, including twelve Benedictine monks, who live a peaceful, prayerful life in a thoroughly modern monastery.
Accommodations
Comfortable retreat center connected to Benedictine (Catholic) monastery. Ground-floor rooms with two twin beds.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Ronald Pepin
Dr. Ronald Pepin earned his B.A. at Fairfield University and his Ph.D. in classics from Fordham University in New York. He taught literature at Greater Hartford Community College for over 30 years, where he gained much experience in teaching adult learners. He has translated a number of books, including Bernard of Cluny's “De contemptu Mundi,” the “Auctores Octo,” the “Satires of Lodovico Segardi,” and the “Vatican Mythographers.”
 
Hugh Feiss
Fr. Hugh Feiss is a favorite Road Scholar instructor whose academic interests center on medieval religious thought and practice, monastic history, and theology about Christ and creation. He taught humanities, philosophy and theology at an Oregon seminary before coming to Ascension Priory in Jerome, Idaho, in 1996. Fr. Feiss has authored more than 20 books and 50 scholarly articles, and his interests include ornithology, natural history and environmental ethics.
 
Vanessa Butterfield
Vanessa Butterfield has been teaching Latin to children for many years, and translated several works published in “Victorine Texts in Translation, vol. 2: On Love.” She has studied at Boise State University, the University of Idaho, and the University of Georgia, and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in nursing.
 
Joanne Draper
Joanne Draper earned her bachelor and master degrees in education from the University of North Dakota. She taught in schools in North Dakota and Idaho for over 20 years. Currently she is an instructor at the College of Southern Idaho, while studying Latin online and working for a Licentiate degree from in theology from the University of Wales.
 
Ellen Martin
Ellen Martin has been fascinated with ancient Rome since her days studying Latin in high school. After earning a B.A. from Yale, an M.A. from UCLA and a Ph.D from the City University of New York, she focused on teaching medieval and renaissance English literature at a number of universities. Ellen collects Roman coins, and developed an interest in Roman engineering while visiting Hadrian's Wall. She has delivered numerous papers on Aelred of Rievaulx, a 12th-century English Cistercian monk.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Monastery of the Ascension
  Jerome, ID 7 nights
 Monastery of the Ascension
Type: Conference Center
  Description: The program is held in a retreat center phyiscally attached to a small Benedictine Monastery. Participants may share in the monastic prayers if they wish.
  Contact info: 541 East--100 South
Jerome, ID 83338 USA
phone: 208-324-2377
web: www.idahomonks.org
  Room amenities: All air-conditioned, with outside window. All open onto pleasant, quiet lounge area. Four single rooms, used when the main facility is full, are available in an annex. These rooms are more basic than the main facility; but have private bath and shower and are available at the same cost as a double in the main buidling.
  Facility amenities: Air conditioned, modern facility with free 24-hour snack bar, free laundry facilities, an excellent chef, private baths, RV spaces with ordinary household electricity and access to showers (limited water hookups; no dump site on the premises). Facility provides nice panorama to the south over the Magic Valley and the town of Twin Falls with mountains in the background. Nights are cool and clear, with spectacular stars.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Additional nights prior: Dbl occupancy: $25 per pers. Accommodations for extra nights may be, but are not always, available. Extra meals: breakfast $5; lunch $7; supper $9.
  Check in time: 1:30 PM
  Additional nights after: Dbl occupancy: $25 per pers. Accommodations for extra nights may be, but are not always, available. Extra meals: breakfast $5; lunch $7; supper $9.
  Check out time: 11:45 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
5:50 PM social in dining room. You will be staying at Monastery of the Ascension that night.
  End of Program:
Program ends after breakfast, 7:40 AM. You will be staying at Monastery of the Ascension the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
Parking is free, right in front of the building.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Jerome, ID
  Nearest city or town:  Twin Falls, ID
  Nearest highway: I-84
  Nearest airport:  Twin Falls, ID
  From End of Program
  Location: Jerome, ID
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Salt Lake City Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Salt Lake Express
phone: 800-356-9796
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$40.00
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

4 hours, Salt Lake City airport to Jerome Wal-mart; 15 minutes from Wal-mart to the monastery. 
   

There have been various attempts at Salt Lake City--Boise shuttles. This is the best and we hope it will last for a long time. Much cheaper than flying, if you can make the connection. This shuttle lets people off at the Wal-mart in Jerome, and we can pick you up there and deliver you back, $10.00 round trip.
 

Boise Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Salt Lake Express
phone: 800-356-9796
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$35
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1 hr 50 minutes 
   

There have been various attempts at Salt Lake City--Jerome--Boise shuttles. This is the best of them and we hope it will last for a long time. Much cheaper than flying, if you can make the connection. (There are no direct flights from Boise to Twin Falls). There are several runs from Boise to Jerome each day, at least one in the morning and one if the evening. This shuttle lets people off at the Walmart in Jerome, and we can pick you up there and deliver you back, $10.00 round trip.
 

Twin Falls, ID

 

From Bus Terminal

 
 

Service:

 

Hotel Shuttle
Monastery Car
phone: 208-324-2377
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$10.00
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

25 minutes 
   

The Greyhound bus comes through Twin Falls and leaves people off on the main street. There are several motels right across from the bus station. We will meet the bus and bring people to and from the monastery in a car.
 

Twin Falls airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Hotel Shuttle
Monastery Car
phone: 208-324-2377
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$12.50
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

35 minutes 
   

There are four or five planes a day from Salt Lake City to Twin Falls and back. We can pick up people from any of these flights and deliver them back again.
 
Driving Directions
  Coming on I-84 from East. Turn at exit 173 (to Sun Valley). Go north (toward Sun Valley) on Hwy 93 for 4 miles just past the golf course to the next paved road (Priory Road = 100 South), turn right, go for 1.5 miles, turn in at sign on right, "Monastery of the Ascension." [Or continue north on Hwy 93 for another mile to blinking yellow light, turn right onto Hwy 25 (toward Eden, ID, go 1.9 miles to a sign which also says "Monastery of the Ascension," turn right for 0.5 miles and turn in at monastery lane.]
  Coming on I-84 from West. There are two options. (1) Take the first Jerome exit and drive through town on Main Street (-Highway 25) and beyond for four miles to the blinking red light at the intersection with Highway 93. Continue across Highway 93 for 1.9 miles until you come to our sign "Monastery of the Ascension" on the right. Turn right, drive one half mile to our next sign; turn left down the tree-lined lane. (2) The second option is to stay on I-84 until you come to exit 173 (Highway 93 to Twin Falls and Sun Valley). Go north (toward Sun Valley) on Hwy 93 for 4 miles just past the golf course to the next paved road (Priory Road = 100 South), turn right, go for 1.5 miles, turn right again at sign, "Monastery of the Ascension."
  Coming on US Hwy 93 from south (Wells, NV; Twin Falls, ID). Continue north on Hwy 93, under the I-84 overpass and (toward Sun Valley) for 4 miles just past the golf course to the next paved road (Priory Road = 100 South), turn right for 1.5 miles, turn in at sign, "Monastery of the Ascension." [Or continue north on Hwy 93 for another mile to blinking yellow light, turn right onto Hwy 25 (toward Eden, ID, go 1.9 miles to a sign which also says "Monastery of the Ascension," turn right for 0.5 miles and turn in at monastery lane.]
  Coming on Us Hwy 93 from north (Shoshone, ID) Travel south from town of Shoshone (about 12 miles) until come to blinking yellow light at Hwy 25. Turn left toward Eden, ID, and go 1.9 miles to a sign which says "Monastery of the Ascension," turn right for 0.5 miles and turn in at monastery lane.
Elevation Note: Monastery is located at 4000 feet.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Hors d'oeuvres, welcome dinner and orientation
(Monday, July 8)
   
 Dinner: 5:50 Social; The program officially begins with a social at which soft drinks, beer, wine and hors d'oeuvres are available.

6:15 Dinner; The Hors d'oeuvres are followed by a welcome banquet. All meals are prepared by our chef LuAnn Stites Kraft, who is beloved of all who visit the monastery for her wonderful cooking. If you let us know on the questionnaire we send, she will prepare special diets.

 Evening: 7:30 PM Orientation to the facility and its amenities, the program and the instructors and introductions of participants.
   
Accommodations: Monastery of the Ascension
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Roman historians; Etruscans; beginnings of Rome. Roman coins.
(Tuesday, July 9)
   
 Breakfast: 8 AM All meals are served in the dining room. Meals: Meals are served buffet style. Chef LuAnn Kraft purchases much of the food locally, often from organic farmers. For example, milk comes in glass bottles from a small dairy whose small herd consists of registered holsteins, which are fed on grass--a rare exception amid the large dairies of the area. At breakfast, on every day but Sunday (when there are cereals and rolls), there is a hot entree, cold cereal and assorted fruit. Juice, coffee, tea, and snacks are available at all times.
 Morning: 8:45-11:30 Roman historians and the beginning of Rome. Etruscans and other inhabitants of the Italian peninsula. Etruscan art.
 Lunch: 12:10 Dining room. There are salads, vegetables, an entree and a desert, and usually fresh fruit, at each lunch and dinner.
 Afternoon: 1:00--3:30 PM. The Latin language; the earliest examples of Latin inscriptions and literature.
 Dinner: When asked to describe our food, Chef LuAnn said that as much as possible she wants it to be "fresh, local, healthy, simple and delicious."
 Evening: A display and presentation of Roman coins which will be used throughout the week to illustrate the topics discussed: the emperors, engineering, legions, daily life and other facets of Roman life and history.
   
Accommodations: Monastery of the Ascension
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: The Emergence of the Roman Empire; The Great Age of Roman Literature
(Wednesday, July 10)
   
 Breakfast: 8 AM All meals are prepared in the monastery kitchen and served in the dining room. At breakfast, on every day but Sunday (when there are cereals and rolls), there is a hot entree, cold cereal and assorted fruit. Juice, coffee, tea, and snacks are available at all times.
 Morning: 8:45 - 10:00 The Coming of Empire: Julius Caesar to Claudius (41-54)

10:15 - 11:30 The Golden Age of Roman Literature: Catullus, Horace, Ovid, Virgil.

 Lunch: 12:10 Dining room. There are salads, vegetables, an entree and a desert, and usually fresh fruit, at each lunch and dinner.
 Afternoon: 1:00 - 2:00 From Nero (54-68) to Septimus Severus (193-211)

2:15 - 3:30 The Silver Age of Roman Literature: Juvenal, Martial, Quintilian, and Seneca the Younger.

 Dinner: 6:00 PM Dinner in the dining room. There are salads, vegetables, an entree and a desert, and usually fresh fruit, at each lunch and dinner.
 Evening: Viewing, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
   
Accommodations: Monastery of the Ascension
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Daily Life in Rome; Excursion to the Magic Valley; Picnic and boat ride on the Snake River
(Thursday, July 11)
   
 Breakfast: 8 AM Dining room. At breakfast, on every day but Sunday (when there are cereals and rolls), there is a hot entree, cold cereal and assorted fruit. Juice, coffee, tea, and snacks are available at all times.
 Morning: 9:15-11:30 Daily Life in the City of Rome (e.g.,as known e.g.,in archeology and presented in literature), How to put on a toga; some Latin songs; eating the Roman way.
 Lunch: 12:10 Lunch. There are salads, vegetables, an entree and a desert, and usually fresh fruit, at each lunch and dinner.
 Afternoon: 1:00 PM board bus for visit to (1) Malad Gorge State Park; (2) National Park Service Visitors' Center for Hagerman Fossil Beds and Minidoka Internment sites; (3) Oregon Trail overlook; (5) 1000 Springs; (6) Shoshone Falls. Those who wish may substitute a soak in a commercial hotsprings for (2) and (3)--these hot springs being about as close as one can come to a Roman bath in Idaho.
 Dinner: Picnic dinner at Centennial Park in the Snake River canyon.
 Evening: Outing on a portion of the Snake River with experienced and knowledgeable guide on safe and peaceful pontoon boats. There is usually a chance to watch B.A.S.E. jumpers parachute off the 500 foot Perrine bridge.
   
Accommodations: Monastery of the Ascension
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Being Christian in the Empire: the first readers of the Letter to the Romans; Didache; Justin Martyr; life with the Roman legions in Britain: Vindolanda and Wroxeter. Roman engineering: Vitruvius and Frontinus; Roman art.
(Friday, July 12)
   
 Breakfast: 8 AM Dining room. At breakfast, on every day but Sunday (when there are cereals and rolls), there is a hot entree, cold cereal and assorted fruit. Juice, coffee, tea, and snacks are available at all times.
 Morning: 9:00 - 11:30 The Didache; Reading the Letter to the Romans in Rome or Pompeii. Justin Martyr, a philosopher's search for truth; his conversion to Christianity; his teaching and martyrdom; his Apology on behalf on Christianity; the Greek chapel in the catacombs of Priscilla.
 Lunch: 12:10 Dining room. There are salads, vegetables, an entree and a desert, and usually fresh fruit, at each lunch and dinner.
 Afternoon: 1:00 - 2:15 Life with the Roman legions in Britain: Wroxeter and Vindolanda.

2:15 - 3:30 Roman engineering: Frontinus and Vitruvius.

 Dinner: Dinner in the dining room. There are salads, vegetables, an entree and a desert, and usually fresh fruit, at each lunch and dinner.
 Evening: Roman art and architecture: achievement and influence.
   
Accommodations: Monastery of the Ascension
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: The Roman Empire, 217-476; Roman Architecture. Performing a Roman play.
(Saturday, July 13)
   
 Breakfast: 9:00 AM Breakfast in dining room. At breakfast, on every day but Sunday (when there are cereals and rolls), there is a hot entree, cold cereal and assorted fruit. Juice, coffee, tea, and snacks are available at all times.
 Morning: 10:00- 11:30 The Roman Empire from Caracalla (d. 217) to the end of the Western Empire (476 AD). Spread of Christianity; the house church of Dura-Europos; legalization under Constantine.
 Lunch: 12:10 Lunch in the dining room. There are salads, vegetables, an entree and a desert, and usually fresh fruit, at each lunch and dinner.
 Afternoon: 1:15-3:00 Roman Architecture and its influence. 3:15 A Roman Play
 Dinner: 5:50 Social, followed by a farewell banquet conjured up from wonderful local ingredients by Chef LuAnn Kraft.
 Evening: 7:00 Music.

7:45 Wrap up in the conference room.
   
Accommodations: Monastery of the Ascension
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Early bird breakfast for those who wish it, for the rest, farewells and a leisurely exit.
(Sunday, July 14)
   
 Breakfast: Pick-up breakfast will be available from 6:00 AM.

Breakfast will be served at 7:40 AM. Sunday breakfast is cereals and rolls. The program concludes after breakfast on Sunday.
   
Accommodations: Monastery of the Ascension
Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Jerome, ID General Overview
The Monastery of the Ascension and its attached retreat center are located centrally in the Magic Valley, five miles east of Jerome and ten miles north of Twin Falls. The monastery is within two hours' drive of Boise (state capitol; churches; Birds of Prey Center), Glens Ferry (Oregon Trail Interpretative Center; Three Island State Park), Malad Gorge State Park, Sun Valley, Jackpot, NV, Craters of the Moon, City of Rocks, Silver Creek Preserve, 1000 Spings (e.g., the spectacular Niagara Springs), Hagerman Fossil Beds Headquarters and Museum (Hagerman, ID), and ice caves north of Shoshone. There a number of museums (e.g., at College of Southern Idaho and in Twin Falls and Jerome), antique stores. galleries, and quilt shops, as well as numerous golf courses, several hot springs, and scenic boat rides in the Snake River Canyon.
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


Daily Life in Ancient Rome


Author: Jerome Carcopino


Description: A classic.



The Early Church


Author: Henry Chadwick


Description: A classic survey by a master historian of early Christianity.



Portable Roman Reader


Author: Various


Description: An inexpensive, broad selection of Roman literature in English translation.



Oxford History of the Roman World


Author: Various


Description: A nice anthology covering every facet of the Roman life and history.



Falco mysteries


Author: Lindsey Davis


Description: These mysteries, featuring the Roman sleuth Falco, are a fun way to get the feel of Roman life in the early Empire.





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