Jeremy Simmons
@caeliambulator.bsky.social
Historian at UChicago working on Indian Ocean trade and the wider ancient world. More than occasionally talks about the doggo. Opinions my own.
Oplontis, by contrast, was deserted, which always shocks me given the richness of the site and its proximity to Pompeii. Simply stunning paintings and plasters—and the space to appreciate them fully
July 2, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Oplontis, by contrast, was deserted, which always shocks me given the richness of the site and its proximity to Pompeii. Simply stunning paintings and plasters—and the space to appreciate them fully
We certainly did *not* have Pompeii to ourselves—hot, crowded, and too much touching (had to tell off someone reaching for plastered human remains in the antiquarium!). But we managed to see some old and new favorites, as well as a friend who is excavating there
July 2, 2025 at 5:52 PM
We certainly did *not* have Pompeii to ourselves—hot, crowded, and too much touching (had to tell off someone reaching for plastered human remains in the antiquarium!). But we managed to see some old and new favorites, as well as a friend who is excavating there
And, finally, the imperial amphitheater at Capua. Something for everyone: romps in cryptoportici and substructure; adjacent Samnite tombs; wonderful sculpture. There was even an exhibit for those who come just for the gladiators
July 1, 2025 at 9:47 PM
And, finally, the imperial amphitheater at Capua. Something for everyone: romps in cryptoportici and substructure; adjacent Samnite tombs; wonderful sculpture. There was even an exhibit for those who come just for the gladiators
Then the archaeological museum in Capua, with its weird and wonderful finds, especially from before the Punic Wars. Such a mix of materials and influences: pottery with inset bronze, wild fibulae, imitative bucchero nero, and lots of terracotta
July 1, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Then the archaeological museum in Capua, with its weird and wonderful finds, especially from before the Punic Wars. Such a mix of materials and influences: pottery with inset bronze, wild fibulae, imitative bucchero nero, and lots of terracotta
We (amazingly) had a lot of ancient stuff all to ourselves today. First, a series of *spectacular* hypogea, tombs in (re)use from the fourth c. BCE on. Such amazing details preserved on the walls and funerary couches. I got a kick out of the modern lamp bases next to the ancient painted candelabra
July 1, 2025 at 9:36 PM
We (amazingly) had a lot of ancient stuff all to ourselves today. First, a series of *spectacular* hypogea, tombs in (re)use from the fourth c. BCE on. Such amazing details preserved on the walls and funerary couches. I got a kick out of the modern lamp bases next to the ancient painted candelabra
Took the afternoon to beat the heat on Ischia—just gorgeous!
June 30, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Took the afternoon to beat the heat on Ischia—just gorgeous!
Had a bit of a time getting here (a wild flight delay), but started strong with some treats in Naples and on Ischia
June 30, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Had a bit of a time getting here (a wild flight delay), but started strong with some treats in Naples and on Ischia
The Samarkan font should be outlawed
February 20, 2025 at 2:53 PM
The Samarkan font should be outlawed
Love this backdrop for the new production of Aida at the Met Opera
January 15, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Love this backdrop for the new production of Aida at the Met Opera
He just loves it!
January 7, 2025 at 1:11 PM
He just loves it!
New puppy pastime (he ate so much snow)
January 6, 2025 at 9:48 PM
New puppy pastime (he ate so much snow)
A tale of two hills
January 6, 2025 at 7:52 PM
A tale of two hills
For those still around at #AIASCS tomorrow: the joint session “The Feel of Luxury: The Sense-scape of Roman Convivia” starts at 8am in Salon D. Really looking forward to some stimulating papers and discussion. I’ll be talking about how Indian Ocean commodities spiced things up!
January 4, 2025 at 10:13 PM
For those still around at #AIASCS tomorrow: the joint session “The Feel of Luxury: The Sense-scape of Roman Convivia” starts at 8am in Salon D. Really looking forward to some stimulating papers and discussion. I’ll be talking about how Indian Ocean commodities spiced things up!
A return to the old ways
December 17, 2024 at 3:00 PM
A return to the old ways
I feel like Pliny the Elder would have a lot to say about this year’s offerings to Testudo
December 14, 2024 at 9:14 PM
I feel like Pliny the Elder would have a lot to say about this year’s offerings to Testudo
I was going to put on my slippers, but the pup beat me to it
December 5, 2024 at 11:57 PM
I was going to put on my slippers, but the pup beat me to it
It's that time of year again when I show students in my survey course parallels to ancient religious practices found across UMD campus (e.g., ex voto offerings for Testudo) and the difference between hybridity (Kermit-Testudo) and syncretism (...Kermiterp?)
December 2, 2024 at 4:57 PM
It's that time of year again when I show students in my survey course parallels to ancient religious practices found across UMD campus (e.g., ex voto offerings for Testudo) and the difference between hybridity (Kermit-Testudo) and syncretism (...Kermiterp?)
Holiday action shot
November 28, 2024 at 10:50 PM
Holiday action shot
Beautiful morning in Riverside Park (gotta love off-leash hours)
November 27, 2024 at 12:37 PM
Beautiful morning in Riverside Park (gotta love off-leash hours)
I know we now have the recent reconstruction of the Colossus of Constantine, but I'll never stop using the "gatti di Roma" calendar photo to demonstrate scale for students
November 26, 2024 at 12:38 AM
I know we now have the recent reconstruction of the Colossus of Constantine, but I'll never stop using the "gatti di Roma" calendar photo to demonstrate scale for students
Sunday morning portrait
November 24, 2024 at 1:41 PM
Sunday morning portrait
Testing out the dog proofing protocols
November 22, 2024 at 3:19 PM
Testing out the dog proofing protocols
This was in my inbox this morning. Excited to dive it!
November 15, 2024 at 2:48 PM
This was in my inbox this morning. Excited to dive it!
A view of the not too distant future
November 12, 2024 at 2:04 PM
A view of the not too distant future