10.30am - 3.15pm
Shawford Village Hall, Pearson Lane, Winchester SO21 2AA
£42 (members)
Dr Paul Roberts OBE is former Keeper of the Department of Antiquities at the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology, Oxford University. Paul, originally from Ross on Wye in Herefordshire, studied Classics at the University of Cambridge, and Classical Archaeology at Sheffield and Oxford. He then lived in Italy for several years, from Milan to Sicily, teaching, researching, soaking up Italy’s wonderfully rich culture (and food and wine!). He has travelled the Roman Empire from Britain to Syria and has excavated in Britain, Greece, Libya, Turkey and in particular Italy.
Lectures 1 & 2 ~ From Greece to the Normans: The Splendour of Sicily
These first two talks focus upon the rich architectural and artistic heritage of Sicily - the largest and one of the wealthiest islands of the ancient Mediterranean. In the first talk we see the mysterious Carthaginians, and their distinctive culture, still visible on the small island of Motya, and then the Greeks, with beautiful cities such as Agrigento, and Syracuse and Segesta, preserving some of the Mediterranean’s most stunning ruins. We see temples and theatres and the rich culture of these ‘western Greeks’;
Our second talk on the history and archaeology of Sicily begins with the Romans. Sicily was Rome’s first foreign province and its wealth, peace and prosperity, is reflected in the monument-filled cities of Syracuse and Taormina, and in the sumptuous ‘mosaic villa’ of Piazza Armerina. After Rome, we see the positive influence of the Arab invaders and then finish with Norman Sicily - an extraordinary artistic flourishing, culminating in the mosaics of the mighty Norman basilicas of Cefalu and Monreale.
Lecture 3 ~ Leptis Magna and Cyrene: Cities of the Sands
The final talk looks at two of the mightiest cities of Roman Africa, lost under the sands for centuries now once more brought to light, and both today in the troubled country of Libya, currently so difficult to visit. To the east lies Cyrene founded by Greek colonists, while to the west is Leptis Magna, first built by Phoenicians ‑ the ancestors of Hannibal – spreading out from their capital at Carthage.
These two amazing cities have very different atmospheres. Cyrene is spiritual, filled with sacred Greek temples and precincts sits in a stupendous setting, on top of a great green mountain, rising out of the desert. Leptis on the other hand is imperial, sprawling along the coast and the birthplace of the mighty Emperor Septimius Severus. With its great suites of public buildings - forum, basilica, stadium and arena - it is truly a mini Rome on the Empire’s southern shores.
Suggested Bibliography
J. Julius Norwich : a short history from the Ancient Greeks to Cosa Nostra (2015)
An affectionate and very readable introduction to the island.
E. Grady Blue Guide : Sicily (8th Edition 2012)
Short, good general introduction to history, art, etc of the island. Then intros to individual sites and monuments.
G.T. di Lampedusa Il Gattopardo (1958) or Visconti’s film with Burt Lancaster and Claudia Cardinale (1963)
Atmospheric, claustrophobic portrait
TICKETS: On Sale now
TASA Members: £42 including refreshments and a light lunch (until September 1st and then open to friends)
If you would like to join this SID, please first confirm your place with Michael Kerby by calling 01962 734768 or emailing michaelhkerby@outlook.com and advising Michael of your intended method of payment from the options below.
• BACS
The Arts Society Alresford
Acc Number 65717460 Sort Code 30-99-71
Please quote ref: OCT26SID/your surname
or by
• Cheque payable to:
The Arts Society Alresford and send to Michael Kerby, Treasurer at Robinia House, 23 Rosebery Road, Alresford, Hampshire SO24 9HQ with OCT26SID written on the reverse
Please Note: There will be no TicketTailor payment option for the October SID
Numbers must be confirmed by Friday September 11th 2026
Terms and Conditions
Tickets should be regarded as non-transferable.
Anyone wishing to cancel should inform the organiser.
For those paying via BACS or with cheques the Society will not make a refund unless it is able to resell the relevant tickets.
If the Society itself needs to cancel an event, all ticket purchases will be refunded.