Submitted by Alyssa Mojica on the 2020 winter session program in Italy sponsored by the Department of Philosophy and the Honors Program…
The first week in Italy has been spectacular so far! Our group arrived in Rome and every dayhas been a wonderful adventure. Between the historical sites and the amazing food, I feel immersed in the history and culture of Italy. Each excursion I have taken so far has broadened my knowledge of the rich history of Rome. It is hard to fathom how this breathtaking city was not only built, but how it has endured through time.
This past week, my group toured the ancient port city of Ostia Antica–with “Ostia” coming from the Latin word “mouth”- as it once sat on the Tiber River. We trekked around the vast ruins along the cobblestone trails that inevitably leave me in fear of ankle sprains. In every direction I turned, there were fascinating ancient structures and some less ancient gigantic pine cones that fell from the magnificent umbrella trees that line the ruins. I was intrigued by the various types of Roman architecture originating from different time periods that were present at the site. Within the ruins, we saw remnants of bathing areas, grain mills, living areas and a theater that gave us a taste of the daily life present in these ruins thousands of years ago. Looking back at these ancient ruins made me aware of the constancy of the human condition: though thousands of years apart, civilizations today continue to be connected to those in the past through the simple necessities and desires that facilitate life. This piece of knowledge, along with all the information and experiences I have obtained in just the past five days have shaped my mindset for a lifetime.
