MUS Latin students left the conjugations and declensions of Language Room 216 behind for hands-on experience in their travels across the globe to explore the ancient wonders of Italy over the 2025 fall break.
After years of reading about the history and culture of the Roman people in thin and colorful Cambridge textbooks, the Owls finally experienced the original ancient cities of Rome and Pompeii in person.
Led by Coach Trey Suddarth, the trip began in Rome. The Owls landed and met Sylvia, their tour guide for the trip.
The first full day started with a tour of the Vatican. “I was captivated by the Vatican’s vast collection of paintings and sculptures, which showcased the brilliance of renaissance art,” said Liam Curran (11). After hallway and hallway of statues and golden domes, the group moved on to the Spanish Steps, where they watched the sun go down over the Roman skyline.
Day two saw the students pay a visit to the ancient Roman Forum and the Colosseum. They saw the legendary “Arcus Titi,” the arch of Titus, and Trajan’s column.
Andrew Anand (10) recalls that “the Roman Forum was beautiful, with all the arches and corroded buildings.”
The next few days were spent all around Rome; the Owls rode to the ancient Roman port of Ostia to take in the well-preserved ruins and mosaics and see the towering dome of the Pantheon.
“The highlights for me were… visiting the Pantheon [and] going to gladiator school,” said Phillip Stalls, an advisor on the trip. An excursion to gladiator school allowed students to learn ancient gladiatorial fighting techniques and undertake detailed training under the guidance of a very loud and enthusiastic teacher before fighting in an imposing backyard arena.
The last two days were spent south of Rome in Naples. After a drive through the Roman countryside, the group arrived in the ancient city of Pompeii. The first Latin textbook MUS students ever use is set in Pompeii; as such, nostalgia flowed strong.
The huge amphitheater, the perfectly preserved frescoes, the actual house of Latin I textbook main character Caecilius – every building in Pompeii was magnificent and had its own story to tell.
Stretching 170 acres, each structure within Pompeii had been preserved as they had looked at the time of the eruption of Vesuvius.
“I loved walking through centuries of history at the archaeological sites in… Pompeii,” says Michele Cacioppo, one of the head chaperones. “It was humbling and inspiring to see how far we have come and yet how connected we remain across time.”
The city of Naples is built around a beautiful bay surrounded by islands – the students ferried over to one of these islands, the Isle of Capri, on the final day of the trip. On top of Capri, the view of the blue Mediterranean waters was breathtaking. “The Mediterranean Sea had some of the most beautiful water I have ever seen,” recalled Paul Duffee (10).
The Owls ferried back and took the long bus ride back to spend one more night in Rome. The next day, they flew home.
The sights and Roman history were incredible and moving, but what also stood out were the little unscheduled moments that students experienced on their own in the city of Rome. Yigael Diaz (10) enjoyed “walking around with the free time they gave us and exploring everything the city had to offer.”
Every block of downtown Rome had some sort of bakery or restaurant to try. “The food was delicious; I didn’t have a bad meal while in Italy,” recalled Jack Shirley (10). When the Owls had time to themselves to go and find a new restaurant, get gelato or walk along the Tiber River, the group experienced the culture of Italy while growing as friends and scholars.
