with Darius Arya and special guest host Andrew Henry PhD of YouTube’s ReligionForBreakfast
November 18 through 22, 2024 *arrival Nov 17
”Rome will exist as long as the Coliseum does; when the Coliseum falls, so will Rome; when Rome falls, so will the world.
Saint Bede
The Catholic Church celebrates a new Giubileo year in 2025, with a pilgrimage year that invites the faithful to Rome. On this occasion, Darius Arya and co-host Dr. Andrew M. Henry invite you for a five-day itinerary to explore the world of early Christian Rome (AD150-500). Together, they will peel back the layers of Pagan Rome in the face of the rising power of the Church for a unique look at the city on the edge of the Empire teetering between the old gods and the newly recognized religion of the Christians.
Day 1: November 18
We begin our journey into Early Christian Rome at the very epicenter of the Eternal City – the iconic Pantheon in the Campus Martius. From here, we’ll explore the city center and its mesmerizing and enigmatic sites including San Nicola in Carcere, Santa Maria in Cosmedin, other churches and a special access visit.
Meals Included: Lunch
Day 2: November 19
To unveil Rome’s early Christian history we need to descend into its underground levels where intricate architecture, stunning mosaics, and beautiful frescoes span centuries of religious and cultural evolution. We’ll focus on the many churches surrounding the Caelian hill: San Clemente, Quattro Coronati, San Giovanni in Laterano and Santissimi Giovanni e Paolo.
Meals Included: Lunch
Day 3: November 20
We step beyond Rome’s ancient city walls and discover the hidden gems of Santa Agnese Santa Costanza, San Lorenzo and San Paolo fuori le mura, monumental churches whose timeless beauty includes Byzantine mosaics, elegant architecture, and rich history dating back to the early Christian era. We’ll examine the martyrs and saints of these sacred sites, each a testament to Rome’s enduring spiritual legacy.
Meals Included: Lunch
Day 4: November 21
We head to the heart of the ancient capital to witness its transformation into a Christian center. From the conversion of temples into churches and the innovative reuse of palatial spaces, we will trace the remains of Christian centers and places of worship in the forum proper and the Palatine hill, site of the palace of the emperors.
Meals Included: Lunch
Day 5: November 22
Our final day concludes with a lively discussion of the Esquiline neighborhood. From Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore to basilicas Santa Prassede and San Martino ai Monti, and their underground sites, we’ll witness how the quarter adapted from the ancient buildings to create new urban spaces and traditions.
Meals Included: Lunch, Goodbye Dinner
ABOUT YOUR HOSTS
Dr Darius Arya Ph.D.
Darius Arya is an archaeologist, scholar, lecturer and television host who has been immersed in Ancient Rome since childhood. He has a BA in Classical History from the University of Pennsylvania and a PhD in Roman Archaeology from the University of Texas (Austin).
As a practicing field archaeologist, he has supervised excavations in the Rome Forum, Roman suburbs and Ostia Antica. Darius is the founder of Ancient Rome Live, a online educational platform showcasing history and pioneering archaeology, and co-founder of 501(c)3 non-profit American Institute for Roman Culture. Immersive content is his passion and has led him to host more than 20 international documentaries for History Channel, PBS, Wondrium, RAI5, National Geographic and Discovery, as well YouTube channel @DariusArya.
Fellow of the UNC
Global Research Institute
Fellow of The Explorers Club
Fellow American Academy (2002)
Fulbright Scholar
Dr. Andrew M. Henry
Dr. Andrew M. Henry Andrew Henry is a scholar of religion and the creator of Religion for Breakfast. He launched the channel in 2014 to address the lack of educational content about religion available on YouTube. Andrew holds a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Boston University, where he focused on magic and demonology in the late Roman Empire. In his capacity as the creator of Religion for Breakfast Andrew has worked on the forefront of online religious literacy education, partnering with academic, non-profit, and government organizations to further the mission of producing freely-available religious literacy content.
Inclusions
- All meals and beverages, as detailed in the itinerary
- All guided touring, admission fees, site transport and activities, as detailed in the itinerary
- Expert guides and drivers, including your host and the 24/7 support of Ancient Rome Live’s partners on the ground
- Expert travel team to plan all excursion details
- Custom trip planning for add-on travel is available; please inquire
- Participants can opt to receive educational credit for an added cost of $75 per person
Exclusions
- Hotel Accommodations, Airport Transfers for arrivals and departures
- Meals not specified and premium or alcoholic beverages
- Optional activities and expenses
- All gratuities
- Trip insurance
Itineraries may be subject to change should there be any unforeseen events or closures. We do not accept liability for change in itinerary due to reasons beyond our control. We will be flexible and take advantage of our deep knowledge and network to provide the best possible experience. Uncompleted portions of the itinerary are not cause for refund.
$2500 USD
per person
Payment: 50% non-refundable deposit.
Balance due in full on Aug 1, 2024.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is this an academically credited course? Should I be prepared for testing?
No, this is not a credited course nor will there be testing. Credit is available upon request for additional fee. We will share our curated reading list before you arrive and after your visit, you will receive a Certificate of Participation.
What happens when I submit my deposit?
Darius will send you a Calendly link so that you can set up a private Google Meet to talk with him one-on-one about logistics, allergies, itinerary and more. FYI – we are happy to share our suggestions for hotels, transport, and more.
How many participants will there be?
Up to 18 guests, and you’ll meet them prior to your arrival in a group Google Meet. In October, Darius will host a 30-45 minute group chat to introduce everyone, discuss the week and field questions.
The visits are in the mornings. What is there to do in the afternoon?
Site visits are programmed each day between 8:30 and 2pm, giving you the afternoon to explore Rome. Darius will be walking around and is always happy to have you join him. Evenings (Monday through Thursday) are yours to enjoy and if you want a little help, we have suggestions for more sites and restaurants.
