Walking in the past

Project carried out by the 5th class pupils

Walking in the pastThis activity is born after the reading of the

look “Arianna negli Scavi di Ercolano” (Arianna in Herculaneum Ruins) by B. Cantamessa and it was the starting point to work on studying

about our territory and its archeological beauties.

After visiting the Excavations pupils have had the idea to set in them scenes from the daily

life making use of information from history on the life during Roman time and creating

almost a photostory.The dialogues have been written by pupils, guided in some points by the teachers, and they have also created the characters and chosen the setting, only the customs are

carelessly and this is due to spontaneity of the young actors.

I’m your Flamen,as we decided.I’m speaking for

all of you.We are here to venerate the dead emperors.Now

we call..Antonius

I’m Antonius.I was a slave and now I’m

free.We venerate the great emperors.Now

we call Raphael.

I’m….Raphael and this is….dedicated to

Hercules:the walls are painted with Hercules’ s

pictures and those of goddnesses Juno and Minerva,then we see

Neptune and his wife.Look,the slaves are

coming.What do they want?

I’m the slave Noemi and I need your help:every

night I dream to get married to the slave

Aldous but I can’t because my master doesn’t want and he

can’t punish me

I’m the slave Alexandra.I’m a poor countrywoman and I work hard every day.Why

do you work so hard in Herculaneum?

I’m …Maryarch,I come from Rome where I live and I work in the public

administration

Follow them,perhaps we can help them

They represent two deer attacked by

dogs and they receive us in the

Deer’s House

How wonderful these murble statues are!

Then let’s go and wash our hands.Let’s invite our friend

Agar e Airad .

What a lovely day?What about a

banquet?

We have had a wonderful idea to ask

for the fast food to the tavern of the

cerealsThese sausages with

chickpeas and vegetables are very

good

We have forgotten the wine with the

honey of Herculaneum

This is the hotel:it is on the 4th “cardine”.Now we ask them if they can give us hospitality.

I am Nausicaa and these are my

children. We want

a room with sight on the sea,please.

I am the hotel mistress.Come with me,I will

accompany you to your rooms

This house wasn’t destroyed

by eruption because it has a very particular

structure

Mother,this is our room

Husband,Lucilla our slave is very sad because even if she is a free

slave she can’t marry her beloved Antonio.

I was thinking…considering that your last business was a

success,why don’t we buy her freedom?We need only twenty

“sesterzi”

Well then,call Lucilla!

Antonio,my darling,now I

have to go because the master is calling me.He wants to talk

to me

Come back soon!

Hello my master,were you looking for me

I want to tell you that from now you are free,go and be

happy

I’m free at last!I will serve my master but I won’t be considered

their property anymore

Lucilla is free!

Oh my master,thank you.You have made

me a happy man.

Go on serving with your honesty.

Mother,I’m going to the baths.There,I’m going to meet the other matrons and we will have a bath in scented water

It’s a marvellous spectacle to look at the view from the fifth “cardine”where there is Neptune’s fountain

What a lovely day we have spent here!

How fresh this water is!

We need

to

refresh

ourselve

s

Today you are watching some sports practised here in the big gymnasium of Herculaneum:wrestling, throwing the discus and running.

Oh, my god Sneezy, help me trowing this discus!

W

hat a

pain

,it’s

a sp

rain

.Come on!I have to overcome Diana.

I’m reaching the finishing line.I dedicate my victory to the glory of Herculaneum.

I’ll beat you, as I am the strongest

Come on Octavian,beat the cowerdly Tiberius!Come on

Oh,how I am very angry!

Victory! I’m very strong!

We are the Olimpic winners of Herculaneum in 78 A.D.

In the fourth “cardine” there is a row of buildings.Among these there is Mrs Lavinia’s bakery!

Ah,I’m very tired to knead and now I want to have a bath in the thermae!

Yes, I’ve just removed it from the oven

Can I have a hot“focaccia “Mrs Lavinia?

I don’t remember how much wheat I have to buy

Do you like the bread made by this baker?

Yes,it is very good!

Hi Arianna and Claudia,do you have something fresh to drink?

I have wine blended with water and honey and you Claudia?

Maximus and Julia are coming to “termopolio”too

What about your business? It’s time

to relax.Let’ go and take a fresh

drink!

…and finally you have arrived here!

I want a double ration!

Thank you!It’s getting warm

and this mulsum is very fresh and

tasty

My husband too!

Oh, my dear Emily,my husband Augustus thinks only about money and his business

Idea!!

I agree, Augustus,let’have a sauna!

Dear friends, we must join

together.Our women are

complainning about us. They must be silent

My friends will be green with envyDear

Tiberius I forgive you for everything!

Dear wife.I miss you very

much.This jewel is for you,forgive me!

Oh I ‘m very surprised,I can’t believe it!

Don’t doubt,this present is a proof of my love for you