Comments for Close Enough to Walk Away http://andromeda.umwblogs.org Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:24:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 Comment on Research in Cumae: Day 2 (48 hours remain) by andromeda http://andromeda.umwblogs.org/2009/01/14/research-in-cumae-day-2-48-hours-remain/comment-page-1/#comment-3350 andromeda Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:24:41 +0000 http://andromeda.umwblogs.org/?p=57#comment-3350 Unfortunately, I was not able to go inside either tunnel of the Crypta Romana; both are closed. The expanse formerly and incorrectly identified as the Cave of the Sibyl is the tunnel connecting Lake Avernus and Lake Lucrinus, and it is locked off. My pictures were taken through a gap in the bars. Nevertheless, I would not be surprised if there is medieval graffiti inside - through the 19th-C., the tunnel was used as a thoroughfare. In addition, I've heard that there are bath-like depressions and side-chambers in the tunnel, so it seems entirely plausible that travelers would have stopped to explore and leave their mark, but... Your Sibyl's cave belongs to the WHITE Sibyl (Albunea), who is not the Sibyl of Cumae, but the Tiburtine Sibyl! Unlike the Sibyl of Cumae, the Tiburtine Sibyl likely never existed as a historical figure, but she was quite a part of the Roman sibylline tradition. A grotto near Tivoli was held to have been her dwelling. I assume that the grotto associated with her in medieval times is still known, but unfortunately I have never seen it, nor do I know much about it. If you're ever in Rome, it'll just be a short drive away, though! I wish I could be of more assistance! Good luck with your family history, and I hope you get to confirm the detail with your own eyes someday - I am sure that would be amazing. Unfortunately, I was not able to go inside either tunnel of the Crypta Romana; both are closed. The expanse formerly and incorrectly identified as the Cave of the Sibyl is the tunnel connecting Lake Avernus and Lake Lucrinus, and it is locked off. My pictures were taken through a gap in the bars. Nevertheless, I would not be surprised if there is medieval graffiti inside – through the 19th-C., the tunnel was used as a thoroughfare. In addition, I’ve heard that there are bath-like depressions and side-chambers in the tunnel, so it seems entirely plausible that travelers would have stopped to explore and leave their mark, but…
Your Sibyl’s cave belongs to the WHITE Sibyl (Albunea), who is not the Sibyl of Cumae, but the Tiburtine Sibyl! Unlike the Sibyl of Cumae, the Tiburtine Sibyl likely never existed as a historical figure, but she was quite a part of the Roman sibylline tradition. A grotto near Tivoli was held to have been her dwelling. I assume that the grotto associated with her in medieval times is still known, but unfortunately I have never seen it, nor do I know much about it. If you’re ever in Rome, it’ll just be a short drive away, though!
I wish I could be of more assistance! Good luck with your family history, and I hope you get to confirm the detail with your own eyes someday – I am sure that would be amazing.
]]> Comment on Research in Cumae: Day 2 (48 hours remain) by Henry von Blumenthal http://andromeda.umwblogs.org/2009/01/14/research-in-cumae-day-2-48-hours-remain/comment-page-1/#comment-3330 Henry von Blumenthal Mon, 06 Jul 2009 04:13:01 +0000 http://andromeda.umwblogs.org/?p=57#comment-3330 Hello, I have never been to the Crypta Romana. Can you tell me if there are mediaeval graffiti there? I want to confirm the following note in my family papers, written in the 18th Century: "In 1567 Jakob von Blumenthal came to Italy to the place where the bath and chamber of the White Sybil are hewn where, not without danger, he lowered himself down, and in the very place where he found the names of Alexander von der Schulenburg and Dr. H. Goldbein's names in the walls, there he carved his own beside them." Since the actual Sybil's cave was only discovered in the 1930s, this must refer to the Crypta Romana, which at that time was assumed to be the Sybil's cave. Kind regards Henry von Blumenthal Hello,

I have never been to the Crypta Romana. Can you tell me if there are mediaeval graffiti there? I want to confirm the following note in my family papers, written in the 18th Century: “In 1567 Jakob von Blumenthal came to Italy to the place where the bath and chamber of the White Sybil are hewn where, not without danger, he lowered himself down, and in the very place where he found the names of Alexander von der Schulenburg and Dr. H. Goldbein’s names in the walls, there he carved his own beside them.” Since the actual Sybil’s cave was only discovered in the 1930s, this must refer to the Crypta Romana, which at that time was assumed to be the Sybil’s cave.

Kind regards

Henry von Blumenthal

]]> Comment on So what if you said it’s over & out for you, my friend? by andromeda http://andromeda.umwblogs.org/2009/01/15/so-what-if-you-said-its-over-out-for-you-my-friend/comment-page-1/#comment-414 andromeda Mon, 09 Feb 2009 23:07:12 +0000 http://andromeda.umwblogs.org/?p=80#comment-414 Yes, my studies in Rome are over. Well, for now they are - there's always the American Academy in Rome for graduate-level studies in Classics. As for this blog, I still haven't decided whether I have a use for it in the near future. The person who suggested that I keep a blog was definitely right; it was totally worthwhile. It is really interesting to look back on the experience through what I wrote about it at the time when it was my life. In addition, I kept a written journal during the trips when I did not have internet access, so there's the potential for some pretty fascinating comparisons. One blogs with the expectation that anyone in the world potentially could read what she has written, but one writes a journal with only a vague sense of the possibility that someone else may read it. The effect of having an audience accounts for many of the differences - in style, tone, particulars, etc. - between a blog and a written journal. I've learned a lot both about myself and about human interaction in general from using both media. Yes, my studies in Rome are over. Well, for now they are – there’s always the American Academy in Rome for graduate-level studies in Classics. As for this blog, I still haven’t decided whether I have a use for it in the near future.
The person who suggested that I keep a blog was definitely right; it was totally worthwhile. It is really interesting to look back on the experience through what I wrote about it at the time when it was my life. In addition, I kept a written journal during the trips when I did not have internet access, so there’s the potential for some pretty fascinating comparisons. One blogs with the expectation that anyone in the world potentially could read what she has written, but one writes a journal with only a vague sense of the possibility that someone else may read it. The effect of having an audience accounts for many of the differences – in style, tone, particulars, etc. – between a blog and a written journal. I’ve learned a lot both about myself and about human interaction in general from using both media.
]]> Comment on So what if you said it’s over & out for you, my friend? by Reverend http://andromeda.umwblogs.org/2009/01/15/so-what-if-you-said-its-over-out-for-you-my-friend/comment-page-1/#comment-413 Reverend Mon, 09 Feb 2009 22:32:30 +0000 http://andromeda.umwblogs.org/?p=80#comment-413 So, is that it? Are your studies in Rome finished? You have done an unbelievable amount of work in this space, it's pretty wild. So, the bigger question is, was that someone who recommended this to you right? So, is that it? Are your studies in Rome finished? You have done an unbelievable amount of work in this space, it’s pretty wild. So, the bigger question is, was that someone who recommended this to you right?
]]> Comment on I live inside someone I do not recognize by Brad http://andromeda.umwblogs.org/2008/11/03/i-live-inside-someone-i-do-not-recognize/comment-page-1/#comment-34 Brad Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:58:15 +0000 http://andromeda.umwblogs.org/?p=32#comment-34 Susie, we miss you too! Come back soon, we still have lots of stuff to do! Susie, we miss you too! Come back soon, we still have lots of stuff to do!
]]> Comment on Saluete by A. Gosetti-Murrayjohn http://andromeda.umwblogs.org/2008/09/23/saluete/comment-page-1/#comment-3 A. Gosetti-Murrayjohn Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:34:15 +0000 http://andromeda.umwblogs.org/?p=3#comment-3 It's hard to describe the feeling of standing upon the same stones and mosaics that some Roman family did 2,500 years ago. What elation--and then--a swim in a cave...can life have anything better to offer? Like the Reverend, I'm absolutely green with envy!! It’s hard to describe the feeling of standing upon the same stones and mosaics that some Roman family did 2,500 years ago. What elation–and then–a swim in a cave…can life have anything better to offer? Like the Reverend, I’m absolutely green with envy!!
]]> Comment on Saluete by Reverend http://andromeda.umwblogs.org/2008/09/23/saluete/comment-page-1/#comment-2 Reverend Wed, 24 Sep 2008 01:42:05 +0000 http://andromeda.umwblogs.org/?p=3#comment-2 How cool, blogging from Rome. There is another UMW student blogging from Florence: http://jana.umwblogs.org I'm jealous of both of you, Rome is a beautiful place, and I would love the chance to live and study there. Look forward to your posts, and if you are so inclined share some images of all you see. How cool, blogging from Rome. There is another UMW student blogging from Florence: http://jana.umwblogs.org

I’m jealous of both of you, Rome is a beautiful place, and I would love the chance to live and study there. Look forward to your posts, and if you are so inclined share some images of all you see.

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