At the Roman Forum, Aeneas' journey told through ancient artifacts from across Italy

The Colosseum Archaeological Park presents from December 15, 2022 to April 10, 2023 at the Temple of Romulus in the Roman Forum the exhibition The Journey of Aeneas. From Troy to Rome, conceived and organized in collaboration with theAeneas’ Route Association to promote and spread knowledge of the Aeneas’ myth and the Cultural Itinerary"Aeneas’ Route" certified by the Council of Europe in 2021. Curated by Alfonsina Russo, Director of the Colosseum Archaeological Park, Roberta Alteri, Nicoletta Cassieri, Daniele Fortuna, and Sandra Gatti, the exhibition, in collaboration with the Museum and Archaeological Excavations of Troy, presents the story of Aeneas through twenty-four works dating from the seventh century B.C. and the height of the imperial age, on loan from twelve different national institutions, including the National Archaeological Museum of Naples; the National Archaeological Museum of Agro Falisco; the National Archaeological Museum of Sperlonga; the Civic Archaeological Museum of Lavinium; the National Archaeological Museum of Tarquinia; and the National Archaeological Museum of Paestum.

The works on display are arranged along the exhibition itinerary by key themes such as images of Aeneas, his father Anchises and his mother the goddess Aphrodite; depictions of the Trojan War; the Palladium talisman of salvation first of Troy and then of Rome; and finally the landing in Latium and the founding of Lavinium, where archaeological discoveries gave substance to the hero’s legend. Among the most significant finds are the monumental Apulian red-figure krater from the National Archaeological Museum in Naples, dated 370-360 B.C., depicting Achilles’ butchering of the body of the Trojan prince Hector; two frescoes from the same museum found in Pompeii, one of which depicts a rare depiction of the Trojan horse being dragged inside the city. The centerpiece of the exhibition are terracotta statues from the sanctuary of Minerva at Lavinium, significant examples of the late Archaic and mid-Republican art of Latium, many of them visible to the public for the first time.

During the exhibition period, from December 2022 to March 2023, the Colosseum Archaeological Park will host a series of lectures focusing on the myth of Aeneas and his legendary journey given by experts. The program will soon be published on the official website. Also during the same time frame, it will be possible to take part in themed guided tours along the route that Aeneas and Evander take in Virgil’s tale, from the Forum Boarium to the Porta Carmentale, the Asylum (between the Arx and the Capitolium), the Lupercal to the woods of theArgileto and the Capitol and then, through the valley of the future Roman Forum, to the village on the Palatine, where the king’s humble abode is located, coinciding with the spot where Romulus’ house and, centuries later, Augustus’ residence would rise.

“This project allows the journey and myth of Aeneas to be told through precious artifacts from all over Italy, some never previously exhibited,” said Alfonsina Russo, Director of the Colosseum Archaeological Park. “A way to learn about the history of a legendary route whose roots go back into the mists of time and which became an early part of Rome’s oldest myths. A route that today can be enhanced and retraced also thanks to the important recognition it received in 2021 from the Council of Europe, which included it among the Certified Cultural Routes and saw the Colosseum Archaeological Park among the first members of this network since 2019.”

“Promoting the common European roots, which were formed through the travels and exchanges that took place in the Ancient Mediterranean witnessed by the magnificent artifacts on display in the exhibition, is a fundamental mission of our Association,” added Giovanni Cafiero, president of the Aeneas Route Association. “The Recommendation of the European Parliament to the Commission of September 2022 for a New Agenda for the Mediterranean citing the Aeneas Route recognizes the value of our itinerary as a bridge and cultural infrastructure. A value that the Colosseum Archaeological Park has immediately embraced, in the common belief of the important role that culture can play in society and international relations.”

For info: www.parcocolosseo.it

Hours: Daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Image: Apulian red-figure krater depicting Hector taking leave of his wife Andromache and son Astianactes (370-360 B.C.; Ruvo di Puglia, Jatta National Archaeological Museum)

At the Roman Forum, Aeneas' journey told through ancient artifacts from across Italy

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