Today is our Ancient Rome day. On our way to the forum we stopped at San Pietro in Vincoli (St. Peter in chains) to see Michelangelo’s Moses. Unfortunately, Moses is depicted with satyr’s horns on his head. Apparently "beams of light" in Hebrew original became "horns" after translation.
As we stroll toward the more ancient part of Rome, first site of the Colosseum, built in the first century, is almost too much to believe. It is so massive and advanced in its design and capability, it is difficult to imagine constructing it today let alone 2000 years ago. It is larger than many modern stadiums and could be modified and flooded with enough water to reenact battles at sea in a matter of a few hours. 65,000 or more spectators could exit the stadium in less than 10 minutes.
Since the ticket line at the Colosseum appeared to be long we decided to start with the Palatine. We got combined tickets for Palatine and Colosseum with no wait and Palatine turned out to be quite a bit more than we expected. Palatino, or Palatine Hill, is one of Rome’s Seven Hills. According to legend, Romulus and Remus were brought up here in a cave by a wolf and it is where Rome was founded. Two thousand years ago it was a very desirable place to live, Rome’s Beverly Hills.
The oval fountain was designed to be seen from the dining hall of the palace.
Palatine also offers a nice views of the Forum below
And of St. Peter across the river
After visiting the Palatine we headed back to the Colosseum passing by the Arch of Constantine.
A couple of gladiators and Caesar were conversing outside of the Colosseum.
With our tickets at hand, we passed the line and walked inside.
After visiting the Colosseum we went to a restaurant across the street and had a lunch with a view.
After lunch we walked through the Forum, starting at the Arch of Titus.
Basilica di Massenzio, began in 306, was the largest building in the Forum.
Temple of Antoninus and Faustina was dedicated in year 141 by the Emperor Antonius Pius to his late wife Faustina.
Remains of the rostra - orator’s platform. This is the place at which Mark Anthony reputedly made his "Friends, Romans, Countrymen" speech after assassination of the Julius Caesar.
Arch of Septimus Severus erected in year 203 commemorates the emperor’s victories in Parthia (modern Iran and Iraq) and Arabia.
We exited the Forum and took the steps to the Capitoline Hill. Palazzo Senatorio was used by the Roman Senate from about the 12th century. It now houses the offices of the mayor. The façade of the palace was renovated by Michelangelo in 1536.
Michelangelo also designed the Piazza (Piazza del Campidoglio) and the staircase (Cordonata). The staircase has extremely wide steps - designed so that nobles on horseback could ascend the hill without dismounting.
We ended our day at Piazza Venezia with Victor Emmanuel Monument (aka wedding cake or typewriter) in honor of first king of unified Italy.
