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On Sunday, I visited the Bocca della Verita...
| Bocca della Verita |
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This is an ancient drain cover, called the "Bocca della Verita,"
or "Mouth of Truth." It's set up in the porch of the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. According to legend, the
mouth will shut on the hand of anyone with a guilty conscience. This monument is featured in the film, "Roman Holiday"
with Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn.
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| Temple of Hercules |
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This is the Temple of Hercules, formerly known as the Tempio di
Vesta. Built during the 1st century B.C., it is one of the best-preserved temples from the Republican Period.
We are in the ancient Forum Boarium, or cattle market. Nearby on the Tiber was located the ancient river port.
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| Circus Maximus |
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Near the Forum Boarium was located the Circus Maximus. This
stadium, used for chariot races (think Ben Hur), lasted for over 1,000 years (and we thought the Vet was long in the tooth!).
Continuously enlarged by successive emperors, the Circus could hold more than 300,000 spectators. Today it is only a
grassy oval. Overlooking it are the ruins of the imperial palace on the Palatine Hill.
Continue to Tiber Island
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