The E-Sylum:  Volume 7, Number 22, May 30, 2004, Article 15

ROME TOURISTS LEARN LATIN, FAIL TO VOMIT

  A May 20 Reuters report described efforts to promote
  the teaching of Latin to tourists in Rome, as part of a
  program to immerse visitors in the ancient culture of the
  region.  It would be an interesting promotion of numismatics
  to also include Roman coins in the program.

  "Tourists have long been drawn to the Colosseum and ruins
  of magnificent Roman temples in the heart of the Italian capital,
  but starting this week they can immerse themselves in ancient
  history and even pick up beginners' Latin.

  The regional government along with two historical societies
  is offering free Latin classes to tourists in a bid to lure even
  more of the sword-and-sandals loving crowd to Rome."

  "They say interest for everything ancient skyrocketed after the
  success of Hollywood blockbuster "Gladiator" and is expected
  to just keep growing with films like "Troy," starring Brad Pitt
  which opened in the United States earlier this month."

  "But the fun won't stop with Latin.

  For those itching to really live the Roman experience,
  organizers plan to team up this summer with the Scuola
  Gladiatori Roma, or gladiator school, to offer a package with
  Latin classes and a crash course in gladiator fighting.

  After donning tunics and helmets, tourists would be treated to
  a typical Roman feast.

  "Tourists are always looking for something 'typical' of a region
  -- well for ancient Rome it doesn't get much more typical than
  gladiator fighting and Latin," said Pediconi.

  Still, he said the ancient post-supper vomiting ritual would be
  dropped."

  To read the full article, see:
  http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?storyID=5205963

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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