16 V i s i t www.theculturalexperience.com C a l l 0345 475 1815 Early Periods XXX! XXX THE ROMAN PROVINCE OF LUSITANIA THE RISE AND FALL OF THE EMPIRE S WESTERN EXTREMITy The wealth and peace brought to the former province of Lusitania by the Romans are reflected in the magnificent monuments left for us to admire across the province and their variety allows us to see not just the richness of city life, but also the source of the riches and the infrastructure which allowed that life to flourish. This novel archaeological tour takes us through the Portuguese regions of Estremadura, Beiras and Alentejo and the Spanish region of Extremadura. Whilst we will visit many important Roman sites such as Conimbriga and Emerita Augusta, we will also learn how they generally settled in this western extremity of their empire at remote villas, infrastructure sites and even extant factories. We explore some of the region’s great cities such as Coimbra, Caceres, Evora and, of course, Lisbon. And we will enjoy some great historic hotels staying at Portuguese Pousadas and Spanish Paradores and sample the delicious regional cuisine for which they are renowned. The tour is led throughout by renowned Roman historian Dr Andy Fear of Manchester University who will provide insight, analysis and inspiring narrative to this fascinating period of history. 6 - 13 April 2020 6 - 13 April 2020 6 - 13 April 2020 6 - 13 April 2020 6 - 13 April 2020 6 - 13 April 2020 6 - 13 April 2020 6 - 13 April 2020 6 - 13 April 2020 6 - 13 April 2020 8 days with Dr Andy Fear with Dr Andy Fear with Dr Andy Fear with Dr Andy Fear with Dr Andy Fear with Dr Andy Fear Activity Level 2 Activity Level 2 ESSENTIALS Return flights from London, 3 and 4 star hotels, buffet breakfast, 3-course dinner with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guide throughout. Tour price: £2495 Single supplement: £350 Deposit: £250 Price without flights: £2345 The conquest of Lusitania, the most westerly of Rome’s possessions, began in the 180s BC after raids by the Lusitani tribe into Rome’s province of Further Spain. Lusitani were a fierce tribe, the Roman writer Pliny derives their name from the wild rites (lusus) of the wine god Pan. Long wars of expansion followed with the Lusitani at times giving as good as they got. One chieftain, Viriathus, remains a Portuguese national hero to this day. The area was eventually tamed by Caesar in the 60s BC. It was made a separate province in around 25 BC by the Emperor Augustus and given a new, purpose-built capital at Merida whose Roman name means “The Emperor’s City for veterans”. Two famous governors who would have known Merida were the short-lived emperor Otho and the brother of the the Emperor Severus, Geta. The province was a peaceful one, but never quite forgot its militaryroots.UnitsofLusitaniansarefoundin the Roman army and legionary veterans from Merida are even found buried at Chester. As well as these Celtiberian tribesmen, the area also contained pure Celts as town names like Mirobriga and Conimbriga show and some Phoenician traders had also ventured here. In prehistory the region was an important outpost of the Tartessic culture. Day 1 – Conimbriga. Fly London to Lisbon and drive to the ruins of Conimbriga, the best preserved Roman town in Portugal. We will explore many of the surviving buildings and great houses dating from the 1st to 3rd centuries: Repuxos House with its wonderful garden with its original hydraulics and fantastic mosaics; the tunnels and stalls of the amphitheatre; the thermal baths and of course its forum and wonderful museum. Continue to Coimbra where we check in to our hotel for one night and enjoy pre-dinner drinks and an introductory talk. Day 2 – Coimbra - Caceres. We take a short exploration of this important university city including its fine Roman cryptoporticus "Overall organisation was excellent and the whole trip ran very smoothly"