view of Colosseo from the Forum.
the Arch of Titus.
Romans conquered MANY provinces and (besides sometimes making them slaves) were fairly tolerant to their captives, as long as they worshiped the emperor as a God. When the Romans conquered the province of Judaea (Israel) in AD 70, Israel revolted: they worshiped one God and it was not the emperor. So the Romans brought 50,000 Jewish slaves back, and they were forced to build this arch, an arch that celebrates the Romans defeating Israel.
relief on the Arch.
this relief shows the Romans parading back through the Forum, with slaves and holy relics of Judaea.
a view of the Forum from the Arch.
the Basilica of Constantine.
This Basilica was used as a hall of justice. On the right side, there are three side arches, which were mirrored with three more on the left. Above those, another set of arches connected the two sides together, creating a huge gathering space. The ceiling was gilded bronze, it was furnished with huge statues and colored marble. It was begun by the emperor Maxentius, but his victor Constatine completed it.
Also, the night before defeating Maxentius, Constatine had a vision of a cross. After becoming emperor, Constatine made Christianity the national religion. It was from this huge building that the basilicas and cathedrals we use got their shapes - pagan temples were not big enough for the Christian gatherings.
Temple of Romulus - with the original bronze door and hinges after 17 centuries.
Temple of Vesta - home of the Flame of Rome.
courtyard for the Vestral Virgins.
The Vestral Virgins were in charge of keeping the flame burning in the Temple of Vesta - as long as the fire burned, Rome was legended to flourish. The girls were chosen from wealthy families around the age of 10 and took an oath to keep the flame lit and remain a virgin for 30 years. If a girl completed this vow, she was allowed to marry and given a large dowry. If she failed to complete it, she was taken around town in a funerary parade, given a lamp and a loaf of bread, and buried alive. Man, what punishment.
the Temple of Caesar. this is the spot where Caesar's body was burned after his murder.
Arch of Septimius Severus
view of the Forum from the west end.
the remains of the Temple of Saturn.
This framed the entrance of the forums' oldest temple - dating 500 BC. In the center of the temple stood a statue of Saturn and a pedestal. Rome's treasury was here, including all of the booty they had collected from conquered provinces.
view of the Colosseum
the Colosseum - it covers over 6 acres.
sweet view - 50,000 fans sat comfortably to watch the games.
Notice a floor that has been reconstructed to show the arena floor. Under this floor, there were over 80 elevators, allowing animals, fighters, or scenery to pop out of the floor and appear instantly on set.
Imagine, too, that armies of sailors covered about a third of it with canvas on sunny days - the first domed arena.
view of Arch of Constantine from the Colosseum.
After winning the battle and establishing Christianity in an already declining Rome, Constantine built this arch with art work from other monuments throughout Rome. Its grandeur still shows through 1700 years later.
Temple of Venus (goddess of love) and Roma Eterna (the personification of the city)
Rome and Love were meant to go together: AMOR : ROMA. The goddesses sat back to back with their names above them, symmetrical names, etc., etc.
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