The Course
There is a road where the past still breathes—where emperors, martyrs, and travelers once walked. The Appian Way, Regina Viarum, is more than an ancient highway; it is a living monument to Rome’s greatness. Built in 312 BCE by Appius Claudius, it connected the capital to Brindisi in southern Italy and became a vital artery of the empire. Along its first stretch—still walkable today—lie imperial villas, catacombs, mausoleums, and medieval churches. This webinar invites you on a journey through centuries of history: from the Circus of Emperor Maxentius and the Catacombs of Saint Sebastian, to the iconic Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella and the elegant Villa of the Quintili, seized by Emperor Commodus himself. Join us as we explore the Appian Way’s enduring legacy, where every stone tells a story.
Course Curriculum
Livia Galante
is known around town as the “Queen of Ostia” having bowled over princes, prelates, politicians and people with her love and knowledge of the ancient site. Livia has her Doctorate in archeology from La Sapienza and is exceptional at making the ancient stones come to life and recount the stories of the ancients who tread on them, the technique of the engineers who laid them and the world that circulated around them. She describes herself as, “Italian by birth, Archaeologist by education, and Tour Guide by a passion to share beauty”!
