ECL Press Conference on the Capitoline Hill Draws Global Attention
On October 24, 2025, Ancient Rome Live (ARL) hosted a landmark press conference in the magnificent Sala del Carroccio within the historic Palazzo Senatorio—the seat of the Municipality of Rome since 1143 on the Capitoline Hill, where the Renovatio Senatus formally reestablished Rome’s civic authority. In one of the most symbolically resonant settings in the Eternal City, ARL presented the first-year projects of the Expandere Conscientiae Lumen initiative and celebrated the eleven grant recipients advancing innovative archaeological and cultural heritage projects in seven countries.
The event gathered project leaders, academic partners, and institutional representatives, underscoring the international scope and scholarly rigor of the initiative. Rome’s mayor, Walter Gualtieri, welcomed attendees and highlighted the broader importance of sustained investment in research and preservation.
“Rome Capital is not itself the direct recipient of these investments, but various universities and research centers are—including La Sapienza,” Mayor Gualtieri stated. “All investments that support research and the enhancement of our cultural heritage are to be welcomed.” Concluding in his role as host, he added: “As the host of this extraordinary city, I would like to thank the Musk Foundation and extend my congratulations to the award recipients.”
The conference also featured the virtual participation of Musk Foundation president Elon Musk, whose foundation provided the $1 million grant supporting the initiative. Speaking via live video link, Musk reiterated his longstanding interest in the ancient world. “I am interested in history, and Rome constitutes a large part of the history of Western civilization,” he said. He further suggested that artificial intelligence could help address historical knowledge gaps by contributing to “a new history book based entirely on ancient material and archaeology.”
ARL Director Darius Arya emphasized the significance of the moment: “We are deeply proud of the extraordinary work represented by these projects. Each one contributes meaningful new insight into the ancient world while demonstrating how innovation and rigorous scholarship can work hand in hand. It was particularly meaningful to have live participation and acknowledgement from Elon Musk—the exchange underscored the importance of investing in research that connects the past with the future.”
Held atop the Capitoline Hill—once home to the Temple of Jupiter and for centuries the civic heart of Rome—the press conference symbolically bridged antiquity and innovation. For Ancient Rome Live, the event marked not only the recognition of groundbreaking scholarship, but also a reaffirmation of its mission: to advance research, foster global collaboration, and ensure that the ancient world continues to inform and inspire future generations.
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