Wash basins in the lower gymnasion at Priene. Foto U. Mania

Wash basins in the lower gymnasion at Priene. Foto U. Mania

Gymnasia directly reflect changes in urban identity throughout Antiquity:
originally sites of physical and intellectual training, they were at the core of formation of Greek polis-identities. In the Hellenistic period they became more private in nature, while gymnasia in the Roman Imperial period largely served as exclusive societies honoring long-standing traditions. Indeed, the development of a formalized Roman bathing culture caused fundamental changes in the role and function of gymnasia. These are reflected in their physical make-up as well as in the forms of representation chosen within their spatial contexts. As such, gymnasia can serve as indicators of changing self-perceptions and social organizations of urban spaces throughout the Greco-Roman world.

This two-day conference provides a diachronic overview of gymnasia throughout the Mediterranean World and thematically discusses their changing role and function. As such it deals with themes of identity formation and consolidation, urban development and cityscaping, concepts of body culture (exercise and hygiene).

The conference provides a platform of exchange for international experts currently working on gymnasia and aims to establish an interdisciplinary forum for developing the larger themes touched on and reflected in the study of these key elements of Greco-Roman urban space.

Program

4.2.2016
13:00 - 13:20
Welcome
13:20 - 14:00
Guy Ackermann
Karl Reber
14:00 - 14:40
Ada Caruso
14:40 - 15:20
Riccardo Di Cesare
15:20 - 15:40
Interval
15:40 - 16:20
Domenico Esposito
Christoph Rummel
16:20 - 17:00
Orianna Silia Cannistraci
17:00 - 18:00
Eleonora Gasparini
Oscar Mei
Filippo Venturini
18:00 - 20:30
Reception in the “Topoi-Haus” and voluntary joint dinner in the evening
5.2.2016
09:00 - 09:40
Martin Gallagher
09:40 - 10:20
Jorge García Sánchez
Antonio López
10:20 - 11:00
Monika Trümper
11:00 - 11:20
Interval
11:20 - 12:00
Alessandra Avagliano
Ricardo Montalbano
12:00 - 12:40
Burkhard Emme
12:40 - 13:20
Ulrich Mania
13:20 - 14:20
Lunch
14:20 - 15:00
Francesco Ferruti
15:00 - 15:40
Kathrin Weber
15:40 - 16:00
Interval
16:00 - 16:40
Florian Klauser
16:40 - 17:20
Natalia Kazakidi
19:30 - 21:00
joint dinner
6.2.2016
09:00 - 09:40
Rebecca Henzel
09:40 - 10:20
Ralf von den Hoff
10:20 - 11:00
Michael Wörrle
11:00 - 11:20
Interval
11:20 - 12:00
Daniel Kah
12:00 - 12:40
Marco Vitale
12:40 - 13:20
Stella Skaltsa
13:20 - 14:00
Concluding remarks