In 2019, I attended the ACL Summer Institute in New York City where I heard James Watson, a British Latin teacher, talk about his travels to Roman archaeological sites in his home country of England. I was intrigued because in the Latin textbook I use, called the Cambridge Latin Course, there is an entire story arc that takes place in ancient Britannia. I was struck with a curiosity to see the places James talked about and more. That talk started me on my own story arc.
In 1995, I was fortunate to receive a Fulbright Scholarship to travel to Greece where I participated in the summer session of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens for 6 weeks. In this program, students and teachers traveled to and learned about archaeological sites all over Greece and Crete. At the sites, we heard from actual archaeologists, usually the lead on that particular project or dig site. One of my most vivid memories from that trip is being told to go under the rope at the Parthenon where we climbed up a very tall ladder to touch the remaining parts of the marble frieze! In the school's famous Gennadius Library, I touched the journals of Heinrich Schliemann! In the agora, my class heard from the leading archaeologist, John Camp, while actually at the archaeological site! That's how awesome this program was in getting students close to the actual archaeology. I learned so much on that trip.
In 1996, the gods blessed me yet again when I earned a scholarship to participate in a comparable summer program in Italy at the American Academy in Rome. More memorable experiences and learning followed including walking around the streets of ancient Pompeii, experiencing the Pantheon on a quiet morning before the crowds arrived, and learning about Roman inscriptions. Another amazing experience!
Side note of importance: if you're interested in either of these programs, there are wonderful sources of funding out there. You can find a complete list of scholarships for attendance at the summer session of AAR right here and of ASCSA right here. I want to reiterate that these two programs added to my classical education enormously. I would not be the teacher I am today without these experiences. Thus, I was so terribly disappointed to learn that there was not a similar program, regularly offered, in England to assist classics teachers in exploring the significant Roman sites there. To be fair, the Vergilian Society will be offering just such a tour for teachers in the summer of 2024, but this program is not an annual one.
As you can probably guess, I decided to design my own tour of the Roman archaeological sites in the UK. I enjoyed immensely the process of researching the sites and then planning the itinerary, but before that, I had to secure funding. If you're doing the same thing, you'll want to look into three organizations that offer funding for a teacher who is "designing your own" travel study experience:
The Society for Classical Studies offers numerous options. The National Latin Exam offers the Christine Sleeper Educational Travel Award. I was fortunate enough to get scholarships from both organizations. That funding paid for most of my trip! Extra money acquired through speaking engagements and writing assignments for the past few years related to my Teacher of the Year (Louisiana 2021) status allowed my husband to accompany me as my driver. (Trust me - I needed one.)
Through research, reading, and listening to the English Heritage Podcast, I designed this itinerary starting in London, heading east, and then making a big circle around all of Britain. As far as I can tell, it worked out great. I missed a few sites that I will get back to later, but for the most part, I saw everything I hoped to see. You can see my actual itinerary here.
Because I'm a nerd, and because I like to help, I've created a Website called Roman Britain for Latin Teachers. This project gave me an opportunity to review my pictures, read books I bought, and relive the adventure - all things necessary to set the learning in my own mind. On this site, you'll find all kinds of information about how to plan your own tour and prepare for it, how to incorporate Britannia into your Cambridge Latin Course lessons, and how to use my museum and site pictures in your classroom. I hope it helps you! Now get yourself to Britain!
