WRITTEN IN STONE: Darius Arya, A Persian Expert On Ancient Rome

Darius Arya is a Roman archaeologist (Ph.D. UT Austin), professor, documentary host and Executive Director of the American Institute for Roman Culture. Most recently, he is appearing as expert on National Geographic’s When Rome Ruled.

Learn About AIRC-College of the Holy Cross Semester Program:

******************************
******************************

OSTIA ANTICA: Documentary

Video Courtesy of WEDIGROME

******************************
******************************

A series of introductory videos about the site of Ostia Antica – its history, significance, culture, and condition.

Ostia Antica Chapter 1: An Introduction and Overview:

Description :

This multi-segment series on Ostia Antica begins with an introduction to the site, ancient Rome’s port city– the key components that identify it as a Roman city, with distinct characteristics that make it a unique city, enjoying a privileged relationship with Rome, from its inception to its demise. Each video is a co-production between the AIRC and Northeastern University (Prof. Vincent Rocchio). Filming was done in May 2010. The NEU film students who made the individual videos are cited at the end of each segment; the Institute thanks them for all of their hard work in an engaging, outdoor environment. All rights to these videos belong to the American Institute for Roman Culture through the Superintendency of Ostia Antica. For further inquiries, contact info@romanculture.org.

Ostia Antica Chapter 2: The Significance of the Site/ Rome’s Reflection:

Description:

When we look at archaeological sites throughout the Mediterranean, Ostia Antica best represents what imperial Rome looked like. Walking through Ostia is like walking through a miniature, industrialized Rome. At the same time, the city had unique features in its role as the “warehouse” and “clearing house” of Rome. Each video is a co-production between the AIRC and Northeastern University (Prof. Vincent Rocchio). Filming was done in May 2010. The NEU film students who made the individual videos are cited at the end of each segment; the Institute thanks them for all of their hard work in an engaging, outdoor environment. All rights to these videos belong to the American Institute for Roman Culture through the Superintendency of Ostia Antica. For further inquiries, contact info@romanculture.org.

Ostia Antica Chapter 3: Conserving the Past:

Description:

Excavation, discovery– it’s all part of archaeology. But what happens to the site after the discovery? Conserving the past is a hot-button issue right now (consider rampant global tourism and ever more sparse funding, to say nothing of looting, damage from war, environmental disasters, etc.). We need to take care of our past — and at this point in time, things are critical, as many sites and monuments are dangerously close to significant damage and loss. We address these issues at the important (non-UNESCO listed) site that best reflects the experience of being in imperial Rome. Each video is a co-production between the AIRC and Northeastern University (Prof. Vincent Rocchio). Filming was done in May 2010. The NEU film students who made the individual videos are cited at the end of each segment; the Institute thanks them for all of their hard work in an engaging, outdoor environment. All rights to these videos belong to the American Institute for Roman Culture through the Superintendency of Ostia Antica. For further inquiries, contact info@romanculture.org.

Ostia Antica Chapter 4: Daily Life:

Description:

What did the ancient Romans do every day? In this chapter, we examine daily routines– what you would have expected to see, hear, taste, and experience in a bustling, cosmopolitan center like Ostia Antica, Rome’s port city. Each video is a co-production between the AIRC and Northeastern University (Prof. Vincent Rocchio). Filming was done in May 2010. The NEU film students who made the individual videos are cited at the end of each segment; the Institute thanks them for all of their hard work in an engaging, outdoor environment. All rights to these videos belong to the American Institute for Roman Culture through the Superintendency of Ostia Antica. For further inquiries, contact info@romanculture.org.

Ostia Antica Chapter 5: Religions of the Roman World:

Description:

What did the ancient Romans believe? How did their religions work? How and why did they make sacrifices? Were all gods and their cults alike? In this segment, we explore the multi-cultural belief systems of the Romans and see how they confronted ideas and forms of worship from all over the Mediterranean. Each video is a co-production between the AIRC and Northeastern University (Prof. Vincent Rocchio). Filming was done in May 2010. The NEU film students who made the individual videos are cited at the end of each segment; the Institute thanks them for all of their hard work in an engaging, outdoor environment. All rights to these videos belong to the American Institute for Roman Culture through the Superintendency of Ostia Antica. For further inquiries, contact info@romanculture.org.

Ostia Antica Chapter 6: New Excavations on the Ancient Sea Coast :

Description:

Uncovering the past — it’s in our DNA to explore and learn more about where we come from. This segment introduces the excavation site along the coast that is run by the University of Bologna. In 2010, the American Institute for Roman Culture became a partner in this multi-year excavation. The Institute continues to excavate in the summer of 2011. For inquiries, see www.saverome.org and listing at www.archaeological.org. We would also like to thank our students in the AIRC-College of the Holy Cross spring semester program who worked on the site in May, 2010 and were gracious enough to speak about their experiences learning and excavating in Rome and Ostia Antica. (For more information on our semester program, see the video segments on the WEDIGROME channel.) Each video is a co-production between the AIRC and Northeastern University (Prof. Vincent Rocchio). Filming was done in May 2010. The NEU film students who made the individual videos are cited at the end of each segment; the Institute thanks them for all of their hard work in an engaging, outdoor environment. All rights to these videos belong to the American Institute for Roman Culture through the Superintendency of Ostia Antica. For further inquiries, contact info@romanculture.org.

About Dr. Darius Arya :

Darius Arya is a Roman archaeologist (Ph.D. UT Austin),professor, documentary host and Executive Director of the American Institute for Roman Culture, a 501c3 non profit organization which promotes and defends Rome’s heritage through projects and unique teaching experiences for university-level students. He leads the archaeological projects, currently including the Villa delle Vignacce dig, and directs the program in archaeology and Roman civilization. He has appeared in documentaries for Discovery, History and National Geographic channels, and has been cited in articles in New York Time, The Guardian, BBC. Most recently, he is appearing as expert on National Geographic’s When Rome Ruled.A graduate from the University of Pennsylvania and Phillips Exeter Academy, Darius received his MA and PhD from University of Texas, Austin. He is a Fulbright Scholar and American Academy of Rome fellow FAAR’00. He lives in Rome, Italy.
Official Website of Darius Arya : Here