Over a dozen tables filled with ancient artifacts and models lined the walls of the auditorium’s stage. Senior AP Latin student, Chris Robotham, balanced a huge embellished shield, sword, and chain link mesh armor like a true Roman soldier, and senior AP Latin student Billy Russell tried on an ancient Roman soldier’s helmet for size. These were just two of the many foreign language students in Scituate that had the chance to travel back in time with Mr. Douglas Ryan during a presentation from his organization, Historia Antiqua.
Ryan, an experienced Latin teacher at Hingham High School for over 35 years, won a Classics Teacher of the Year Award in the 1990s. He now travels with his collections of ancient artifacts and mock-ups, or even dressed in the role of an ancient character.
Mr. Ryan now shares his passion for the ancient world with interested students, especially for those who have never been able to visit the Louvre in Paris or Colosseum in Rome. Junior AP Latin student Katie McCarthy said, “It was cool that we could see replicas of artifacts that we have learned about and can connect to. It was especially interesting to learn about the debate over whether we should fix deteriorating artifacts today.” Historia Antiqua and Mr. Ryan are living proof that the old world is still very much a part of today.
One of Mr. Ryan’s museum-like exhibitions journeyed to Scituate High School April 30th. Pieces on display ranged from ancient Roman coins, to the earliest forms of Phoenician glass-blowing, to replicas of world-famous statues and artwork from ancient times. Latin and French teacher, and organizer of the event, Mrs. Raymond, invited this previous colleague of hers to help connect the old world with the new. It gave Latin students physical evidence of their studies, and hopefully will continue to do so in the future.
“I hope to have him back next year for a different presentation,” Raymond said.