Rome continued to amaze me. On the following day, we checked out the Coliseum, which was originally named the Flavian Ampitheater, but received the name "Coliseum" after a "colossal" statue to the Roman Emperor Nero was erected in front. The Coliseum was the ancient arena which held several showings of gladiatorial combat. Contrary to popular belief, when the emperor held the thumbs up sign, it meant kill the gladiator, not spare his life:
After the Coliseum, we headed over to the Forum, which was the central meeting and market place in Ancient Rome; very similar to the Greek Acropolis. In the Forum, we had the opportunity to take a look at Caesar's tomb as well as Romulus' fig tree. Legend has it that Romulus founded Rome after a she-wolf rescued him and his brother, Remus, from drowning in the Tiber River. According to the myth, the she-wolf nourished them until they were old enough to set out and seek a kingdom, as was their fate. Romulus and Remus both settled at the base of the Palatine Hill, but, after a skirmish in which Romulus killed Remus, Romulus was the de facto king, hence the name "Rome", and not "Reme". At the Capitoline Museum one may see a sculpture of the she-wolf feeding Romulus and Remus. Caesar was stabbed 44 times by a collection of Roman senators for violating the jurisdiction of his office and abusing his power consequently.
After the Coliseum, we headed over to the Forum, which was the central meeting and market place in Ancient Rome; very similar to the Greek Acropolis. In the Forum, we had the opportunity to take a look at Caesar's tomb as well as Romulus' fig tree. Legend has it that Romulus founded Rome after a she-wolf rescued him and his brother, Remus, from drowning in the Tiber River. According to the myth, the she-wolf nourished them until they were old enough to set out and seek a kingdom, as was their fate. Romulus and Remus both settled at the base of the Palatine Hill, but, after a skirmish in which Romulus killed Remus, Romulus was the de facto king, hence the name "Rome", and not "Reme". At the Capitoline Museum one may see a sculpture of the she-wolf feeding Romulus and Remus. Caesar was stabbed 44 times by a collection of Roman senators for violating the jurisdiction of his office and abusing his power consequently. |
| Caesar's Tomb |
The Capitoline and DaVinci Museums were great as well!
Finally, we went to the Vatican City, and saw the beautiful and ornate Sistine Chapel which Michelangelo painted. In the Sistine Chapel, I spent about an hour just staring up above me at the image portraying the creation of man, gawking at its awesome splendor. It was quite a sight to behold.
We leave for Florence tomorrow, and I can't wait!
Tempus est discedere Fiorentam.
It's time to go to Florence.
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