Allan Powell: Separation by walls, physical and symbolic

While visiting Italy to celebrate our 30th anniversary, Joanie and I had the good fortune to have a very talented tour guide who exhibited a special pride in announcing that he, Vincenzo, was Roman, not merely Italian. The honor of being Roman is reserved for those born inside the old stone wall that encircled ancient Rome. This wall divided his world into two distinct domains much like the Greeks divided the world into Greek and barbarian.

By ALLAN POWELL

December 20, 2012