Italy 2001

 

Rome

 

 

Next to the Forum Romanum, the massive monument to Italy's WW2 heros

 

Rome origninated here, where Romulus, the first king of Rome fought his rival on the next hill, Palatine Hill. They fought, and finally, according to legend, layed down their weapons in this still wet and marshy valley and made a pact. Subsequently, draining of the valley commenced, and the Forum became the central market, city square, so to speak, where people listened to speeches, where elections were performed, and where victory parades would take place. In time, more and more important buildings a monuments would be erected here, until the, by then, old and small Forum, was left and the center of activity of the growing empire moved to the Basilica Ulpia in the Forum of Trajan (Marcus Ulpius Traianus). Rome flourished and grew until the 4th Century, when it was divided into East and West Rome, with East Rome centered on Byzantium, later named Constantinople (the CIty of Constantine). The construction of the Basilica of Maxentius brought much of the activity back to the Forum Romanum and remained there until the fall of Rome (the Western Roman Empire) in the 5th Century.

 

This map (linked) shows the fragmentation of the Western Roman Empire, while the now Greek speaking, Christian Eastern Roman Empire stayed largely intact, became known as the Byzantine Empire, and lasted another 1000 years, until May 29, 1453, when Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Muslims and became the capital of the Ottoman Empire.

 

The Forum Romanum

 

On the left the church Santi Luca e Martina. The arches behind the column belong to the Basilica Julia (a public meeting hall) 46 BC

The Forum Romanum, once a flooded and marshy valley, and after being drained in the 7th Cent BC, filled, and reclaimed, became a central market place and finally the social and political center of the Roman Empire.

The eight remaining columns of the Temple of Saturn, and the three of the Temple of Vespasian

 

Grandly illuminated and no less impressive at night, for those who enjoy wandering around there in the dark. The three white columns on the left are what remains of the Temple of Castor and Pollux

 

The Arch of Septimus Severus

 

 

The magnificent triumphal arch of Septimus Severus, built to commemorate the Parthian victories

 

The Senate - House of Julius

The Arch of Septimus Severus in front of the church Santi Luca e Martina, and the Senate, House of Julius (doors closed)
The inside of the Senate, House of Julius, where the history of the world was decided for centuries

 

It's just such a great place to lose yourself

 

Temple of Antonius and Faustina (AD 141) located in the Forum and right next to it
the Santi Cosma e Damiano, an ancient titulo church built in the Forum (6th Cent AD)

 

 

Palatine Hill

Palatine Hill, one of the centermost hills of the Seven Hills of Rome and one of the most ancient parts of the city

 

Capitoline Hill

Mons Capitolium - The Capitoline Hill, another one of the seven hills of Rome. Here was the first citadel of the earliest Romans.

 

Trajan's Market, next to the Forum Romanum, part of Trajan's new Forum. There is, so I've read, much to be seen there.

 

 

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