|
|
 |
|
After checking into the Domus Sessoriana, I took the Metro to the Colosseum...
| The Colosseum |
|
Begun in A.D. 69 by the new emperor, Vespasian, the Flavian Amphitheater
was inaugurated in A.D. 80 by his son Domitian. This was the model for many other amphitheaters built throughout the
Empire. While Christians were not killed here, many others were, including innumerable gladiators and wild animals.
The games continued for 400 years, but during the Middle Ages and Renaissance much of the Colosseum was "mined" for its travertine
and other pre-cut building materials. Many of the Renaissance palaces in Rome were built using stones from the
Colosseum.
|
|
|
| Arch of Constantine |
|
The Arch of Constantine was ordered built by the Senate in A.D.
315, after Constantine had defeated his rival Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, on the north side of Rome.
The skill of stonecarvers and other artisans had deteriorated so much from the glory days of Rome that the builders of this
arch had to use features from earlier monuments to complete the arch.
|
|
| Arch of Titus |
|
From the Great Square of the Colosseum, you can ascend along the
Via Sacra to the Arch of Titus. This triumphal arch was built in the 1st century A.D. by Titus's brother, Domitian,
in his honor.
|
|
|
|
|
| Interior View of Arch of Titus |
|
On the interior of the Arch of Titus, we can see a relief of Roman
soldiers removing precious articles from the Temple of Jerusalem. Titus had presided over the Jewish War, during which
his soldiers destroyed the Temple. Here we see the soldiers carrying the Menorah and other items from the
temple.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| View of Forum Romanum |
|
From the high ground around the Arch of Titus, we can look west
into the Forum Romanum. This was marshy ground when Rome was founded in the 8th century B.C., but was drained by the
Etruscan kings of Rome. Eventually it was paved and became the epicenter of the Roman Empire. Great basilicas,
or law courts, were built, beginning in the 2nd century B.C. Here were located the Curia, or Senate house, and the Comitia,
or assembly place of the people. Many temples were built. Orators spoke to the people from the Rostra, or speakers
platform. In the distance, you can see the Tabularium, where the tablets of the laws were kept. Now it serves
as the foundation for the Palazzo Senatorio, the city hall of Rome, built on the Capitoline Hill. Beyond rises the Vittoriana,
or monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of a united Italy, completed in 1911.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
