Located right in the center of Rome sits the largest amphitheater ever built, the Roman Colosseum. Construction of this Oval shaped phenomenom began in 70 AD and was completed in 10 years. It was built as a gift to the Roman people by Emperor Vespasian. It was opened in 80 AD by Vespasian's son Emperor Titus and it became known as the Flavian Amphitheater. There were 100 days of games for the people to enjoy including combat by gladiators and wild animal fights. It was used for about 400 years and then fell into disarray. For several hundred years pieces were remove to be used as building materials elsewhere. Approximately 2/3 of the original Colosseum had been destroyed over many centuries due to neglect, vandalism and disasters caused by Mother Nature. A concentrated effort by the Italian people to restore it began in the late 20th century as it had been and still remains one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rome. The happy couple outside the Colosseum We decided to sign up for a small and more personalized group tour of the Colosseum. We were excited as we were going to see the underground level where the gladiators and wild animals were kept. Our tour also included going up to the third level for a neat view of inside the arena floor. To our surprise we found out that renovation had just been completed of levels 4 and 5 so they were added to the tour which really added to our level of excitement. A gladiator's eye view of the 50,000 people watching the games After a brief look at the ground level we went to the underground area. It was a huge labyrinth that presented mysteries for many years before archeologists were able to decipher the many intricacies discovered through out the underground level. Using deductive logic and some reverse engineering they determined what the many indentations in the walls were. The Roman engineers had developed a way to lift and lower heavy cages and platforms using a rotating contraption called a Capstan. A reproduction of the Roman Capstan More views from the Colosseum underground From here we began our tour of the upper levels. We started at the third level. The views were absolutely amazing. From here we moved up to the fourth and then fifth levels. The view of the spectators on the third level More images of the upper levels Upper level walls and support rectangular columns Outer areas on the upper levels Our guide told us that men and women were segregated during the games. The 5th level was where the women had to sit and also that the games went on sometimes for days at a time. A triumphal arch just outside the Colosseum In Latin the word "Fornix" translates to a vaulted or arched structure. Our guide pointed out to us that prostitution in Ancient Rome was not only legal but also licensed. Powerful and influential men were openly able to be involved with prostitutes without fear of moral repercussions. She also said that the prostitutes would stand under certain arches in public to be selected, hence the term Fornicate. Of course prostitutes were also found in Brothels, which in latin is Lupanar. It is derived from the latin word Lupa or she-wolf meaning prostitute or fornix. The Arch of Constantine When our walking tour of the Colosseum was over we continued towards Palatine hill and then the Roman Forum. The image above of the Arch of Constatine was built in honor of the Emperor Constatine I to celebrate his victory in the battle of Milvian bridge in 312 AD. Considered the most important and most centrally located of the 7 great hills in Rome, Palatine hill is an area that should not be missed. Elevated about 130 feet above both the Forum and the Circus Maximus on the other side Palatine hill was where Emperors Augustus, Tiberius and Domitian once lived and temples were erected. Remains of Palaces on Palatine Hill Palatine Hill also is thought to be where in Roman Mythology Romulus, the founder of Rome and his brother Remus lived in a cave on the hill. The emperor Augustus was born on Palatine Hill and later lived in the palace named for him with his wife Livia although Livia had her own separate palace as well. Actually the origin of the word Palace comes from Palatine. The remains of the Circus Maximus as seen from Palatine Hill The Circus Maximus was Rome's first stadium venue built specifically for Chariot Racing. It's location is between Palatine Hill and Aventine Hill. It's construction dates back to the 6th century BC and it was last used for chariot racing in the 6th century AD. The distinctive shape and dimensions came about under the rule of Julius Caesar. The dimensions are approximately 2000 feet in length and 400 feet in width. It could accommodate more than 150,000 spectators and was largest stadium ever built during the Roman Empire. It was also used for other Roman games and also for Gladiator fights. Today the land the Circus sits on is a public park. A view of the Roman Forum as seen from Palatine Hill Located on the opposite side of Palatine Hill from the Circus Maximus between Palatine and Capitoline hills lies the Roman Forum or Forum Romanum in latin. The Forum's location helped make it the center of many Political, Religious and Social activities in Ancient Rome. Many of ancient Rome's huge and impressive monuments and temples were built there. It's rectangular shape and being strategically located down from Palatine Hill made the Roman Forum the ideal setting for Public gatherings, speeches, elections, public trials and even business dealings. The Forum was expanded under the rule of Julius Caesar and also Emperor Augustus. Remains of several of the huge buildings in the Forum Some of the important sites from the Forum include the House of the Senate, the temple of Saturn, the temple of Vesta, the Arch of Titus, and the temple of Castor and Pollux. As political and social events began to take place in other areas the site began to decline. By the time the Roman Empire began to fall many of the structures had already been destroyed in the early 5th century AD. Some final views of the Roman Forum Visiting the Roman Colosseum, Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum is clearly one of the most popular things to do in Rome. I really feel going with a private group tour is the way to go. You skip all the lines in the Colosseum which was absolutely wonderful and the guide added so much by giving us the pertinent details of life during the time of Ancient Rome.
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