Provided here is an annotated selection of internet links that may be useful to those interested in further exploring some of the themes introduced in "The Villa of the Mysteries: Ancient Ritual, Modern Muse."  Other resources relevant to the individual objects in the exhibition may be found by visiting the web pages of the many museums that generously lent material for the exhibition.  Links to these museums' internet sites are provided on our Credits page.

POMPEII AND ANCIENT ITALY

An Introduction to Roman Archaeology by Professor James Higginbotham offers web surfers a chronologically arranged collection of digital images of monuments and artifacts from ancient Italy.  A bibliography and relevant readings are also provided (click on "syllabus").

The official internet site for the archaeological site of Pompeii offers information about Pompeii and its surroundings along with news of recent events and archaeological developments in the region.  Many of the archaeological finds from Pompeii now reside in the National Museum of Naples, the webpage of which provides an overview of the museum's collections as well as links to other internet resources on Pompeii and its environs.

Pictures from Pompeii and Herculaneum by Örjan Rudstedt features a number of general and detail views of ancient buildings in Campania. 

The Pompeii Forum Project provides a detailed look at the architectural remains of Pompeii's ancient city center.  The site includes studies of  volcanic activity in the region and photographs, drawings, and architectural analysis of the buildings in Pompeii's forum as well as links to resources for teachers.

The virtual version of the traveling museum exhibit Homo Faber allows visitors to learn about nature, science, and technology in ancient Pompeii.

The Anglo-American Project in Pompeii page describes life on an archaeological dig and recent excavations at Pompeii.

Cybernauts can become familiar with the lay-out of ancient Pompeii by visiting the Humanities-Interactive "A Day in the City" Game.

Harcourt School Publishers' Pompeii: Unraveling Ancient Mysteries provides an introduction to the history of Pompeii for young people.
 

WOMEN IN ANCIENT ITALY

Diotima is a comprehensive source for information on the study of women and gender in the ancient world.  The site provides access to an extensive bibliography (with links to a number of on-line articles), relevant course syllabi, digital images, and an electronic mailing list.

The Roman History, Coins, and Technology Back Pages feature a Women in Roman Society section dedicated to short biographies and images of women who were prominent in ancient Rome.
 

RELIGION IN ANCIENT ITALY

For a very quick overview of the basic features and concepts of ancient Roman religion, see Professor Miriam Pittenger's Roman Religion under the Republic and Early Empire.  Tuscia provides an introduction to ancient Etruscan Religion, Superstition and Rites.

For information on many figures from Roman mythology, visit the Encyclopedia Mythica's list of Roman deities.

K.C. Hanson's Ritual and Ceremony in the Graeco-Roman World A Select Classified Bibliography (1970ö1996) includes a bibliography of scholarly works on ancient Roman ritual.