Rome II

Day two in Rome started with another walking tour with private guide, Thomas. He looked like he had spent a bit too much time in the bar or disco last night…..but he is always intelligent and kind.


He took us first to the “San Pietro in Vincoli” – a church near where we stay…but in a residential neighborhood. It was small and beautiful. Michelangelo had done work here also.


This was originally built in the 4th century to house the chains that were used to bind Peter (St. Peter) while he was in prison. Un-real that Stu and I could be standing here today looking at those chains. Amazing!!!


Next, we walked on to the Coliseum….an amazing structure that was started in 72 AD and finished in 80 AD under the Flavian emperors. I have a shot of the Coliseum as it is today...



….and a painting of how it used to be, as well. It held 70,000 people at a time.


In the mornings, they would bring in the criminals to defend themselves against the animals. (usually didn’t work out well for the criminals). And not just any animals – or animals common to Rome. They had hunters go out and find unique animals that people here had not seen before….bears, wild boars, lions and tigers, panthers etc… Then, of course, there was the persecution of Christians in the Coliseum, too. What started as a show about great hunters and the animals they conquered....slowly turned into something more dark... a blood-bath for all spectators to see.


We saw remains of all of these animals, as well as, the cages they were kept in on our tour today. Then, in the afternoons, the Gladiators would begin their show at the Coliseum.


You can see in the photo of the floor of the inner-Coliseum that there were many underground passageways. There used to be wood covering the floor of the Coliseum and beneath it is where the animals and people were secreted away in the passageways.


As everyone knows, Jewish slaves built this great amphitheatre.


Next, we went to the Arch of Constantine. This arch marks the victory of the first Christian emperor over his rival, emperor Maxentius.


I’ve interjected a photo of Acanthus leaves here. We’ve all seen them used in the times of Caesar. They were, evidently, the inspiration for the design of the Corinthian columns, too. And I didn’t realize they had a pretty, white flower either.


Next, on to the Roman Forum. Forum means square.


Square means center of town, community gathering spot.


This area has all been excavated as everything was buried by silt over hundreds of years from flooding from the river Tibur - after the empire fell and the area was not used or occupied. Before Rome fell - population was about 250,000 people. After Rome fell - population was only 20,000!!!


Our guide told us that there are 5 more centuries BELOW THIS that have not been excavated yet!!!




Thomas, our guide, then took us to the Mamertine Prison. This is where it is said that Peter and Paul were incarcerated and held.


Prisoners were originally dropped down through a hole in the floor and the only exit was death.


We then hoofed it over to the “Victor Emanuel Monument.” It is a Presidential monument to the first King of Italy. Absolutely stunning!


On our last stop with Thomas, we went to the Pantheon. Pantheon means “all Gods.” It is considered to be one of the best preserved temples in all of Rome – since it started as a pagan temple and then became a Christian church. It was built in 118 AD.

As an aside, Stu found it extremely interesting that almost every building we see is not as it appeared when it was built. They once were all covered in marble and they had bronze lettering on their fronts – where now just a shadow recess remains. They consider these ancient Roman buildings the greatest quarries of Rome, as after the fall of the Empire….marble and bronze were stripped for use in public and private buildings – as well as for extensive use in the Vatican. Most of the remaining columns and buildings are pocked with holes as even the led was stripped out with heat for re-use and to make coins, tools, weapons, etc….

We parted with Thomas and found a nice lunch spot to rest our weary feet.


Then, we walked some streets to find the Trevi Fountain. It was built in 1732 and is really gorgeous (and very crowded!) It marked the end to an aqueduct which was built in 19 B.C...

We have come home to rest for awhile. We have an evening tour called “Rome Illuminated” from 8 – 10 p.m... All statues, fountains and monuments are lit here at night and will make for some great photos, I would presume.
Wonderful day – and even made better with the help of Thomas! You should have seen the lines to get a ticket at the Coliseum (and Vatican)………and he whisked us by all of the people to the front of the line! Yay, Thomas!!!