One of the joys of teaching Classics (Latin, Greek, Classical Studies, Ancient History) is the prospect of teaching on-site in Rome. However, the prospect of leading a group through an ancient site can be daunting. This session aims to offer guidelines for teaching on-site in Rome and sample lessons for teaching Latin through inscriptions. This practical class will use the Basilica of San Clement in Rome as a case-study. Located a stone’s throw from the Colosseum, this church is built upon three layers, which offer a palimpsest of the history of Rome from the time of Nero to the present day. This history will be traced though a series of inscriptions from all periods (monumental Trajanic fragments; Christian catacomb spolia; mosaic lettering; tomb epitaphs) and explain how the Latin can be used both on-site, and in the classroom to bring the history of the city alive.
