Colloseum and Roman Forum

Today was my Roman history day. I had bought tickets to the Colleseum and Roman Forum. I think that we are all familiar with the Roman forum. If not check some YouTube videos from the movie Gladiator. It's like the Eiffel tower is to Paris, the forum is to Rome. I had a timed entry for 9 o'clock which is early when you are jetlagged. Despite it being September it seems that it is still full on tourist season. I arrived by 8:30 and stood in a very long line up but gained admission by 8:40. They allow 3000 people per hour into the colleseum which gives you idea of the line up. I did the Rick Steves audio tour which was quite good. One essentially walks around on the second tier admiring the structure and main stage and wondering what it was like during a gladiator event 2000 years ago and wondering how long it will be before Rogers place in Edmonton will require additional tax dollars so that it can last the full 30 years of it's lifespan. The colleseum was operation for 500 years.

After the colleseum I headed next door to the Roman forum. The Roman forum was the religious and governmental centre of Rome. By now it was about 28 degrees and I was starting to slow down a little bit. I did another Rick Steves audio tour and learned about the first Basilica which was a law court used as the architectural footprint for present day churches, the eternal flame, the vestal virgins, various Roman temples and archways. We owe so much to the Romans. I then headed over to the Paladdin hill the site of the emperor palace. Even though the buildings are half ruined that the largesse and grandeur of the buildings is still impressive. I met some Canadian women while in the Paladdin. The Blue Jays hat gave them away. The didn't have the Rick Steves audio tour so much of the site was lost to them.

After lunch and a little nap, I headed out again to the Basilica of San Clemente. The Basilica was a notable 14th century church. In the 1850s the priest at the church started tunneling beneath the church believing that it had been built on another 4th century church which had been used as the foundation for the later church. Further excavation beneath the original church revealed that it had been built on a pagan temple. One could see the pagan temple, part of a Roman road and the floors of the ancient buildings. It was a time travel.

After the museum I headed back to my Air BnB which was fortunate as they had a massive Thunderstorm lasting for about two hours. All the history and heat tired me out so I had an early night.Read more