Day 3 - Ancient Rome

The Colosseum and the Roman Forum are the heart of Ancient Rome, and this is where we are starting our first full day in the city.  

We will begin at the enormous structure that has stood for centuries, the Colosseum.  The Colosseum was built during the early empire, right around 80 AD.  There are four levels of arches, which would have contained heroic statues, and an upper level that would have supported the awning that covered the seats.  Take the time to notice the Roman numerals, still visible over the arches at ground level.  These are the gate numbers, and visitors would have entered the Colosseum through the arch corresponding to their ticket!

The Colosseum is part of a complex that included a large fountain, the base of which is still present in front of the ticket booth, and a colossal statue of the emperor Nero, which is now gone.  It is this missing statue that gives the Colosseum its name.  Also present in this area is the impressive arch of Constantine, a later addition to the complex honoring Constantine's acquisition of the control of Rome in 312 AD.

We can turn 180 degrees from the Colosseum and walk to the Arch of Titus at the end of the Forum.  Built to commemorate the destruction of Jerusalem, take the time to note the scenes of the triumphal procession that would have passed - as all triumphal processions - along the very road you are standing on.

In an awkward move, however, the entrance to the forum for  the modern day visitor is not here.  Instead we must walk down the very busy modern street, enter the forum, and backtrack to this point to continue our tour through the forum!

While we are on the busy Via dei Fori Imperiali let's take time to address it.  This major street was built by Mussolini, who constructed it to connect the center of ancient Rome (up ahead) to modern Rome.  Walking from the Colosseum to the Forum entrance you can see, looming ahead, the massive white construction that is known by various names; the Altar of the Fatherland, the monument to Victor Emmanuel, or the Wedding Cake.  It stands in front of the Piazza Venezia, the central piazza in Rome (Rome’s Christmas tree is placed here every year), and it is from a balcony overlooking this piazza that Mussolini would give his most famous speeches.  (Currently the piazza is the site of much construction as Rome adds a new subway line.)

Once we enter the Forum proper, we will make our way back to the Arch of Titus and continue our procession down the Sacred Way.  We will stop at the massive Basilica of Maxentius and be amazed that this is only one-third of the structure.  We will approach the rostrum, where all famous Roman speeches were made, including famously the speech of Mark Antony, presenting the murdered body of Caesar to the crowds, as we stand precisely where they stood.

We will finish our time around the forum at the Column of Trajan, admiring the intricate carvings that memorialize the military victories of the emperor, Trajan.

This is a full morning, but we are not done with Ancient Rome!