Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum

Eating our first of many gelato and looking over the Roman Forum.

The Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum are in the Southeast corner of Rome and are surrounded by busy streets. The modern day courts/police buildings are adjacent and it is fasinating to see these ancient ruins surrounded by busy streets.

The Colosseum is probably Rome's most famous landmark. It was built in about 70 AD at the peak of the Roman empire. It was interesting to learn that events at the Colosseum were free to the public and food was even provided. It was the rich people's way of controlling the unemployed masses.

Although the Colosseum is more famous, we actually enjoyed Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum more.

Palatine Hill is the ruins of the Roman equivalent of the White House (the Emporer's residence as well as his administrative offices). It was HUGE and actually makes the White House look like a cottage. We were amazed at the number of rooms, indoor fountains, elaborate staircases and overall extravagence. It was truly from another world and time.

The back steps of the Palace led directly to the Roman Forum. The Forum was downtown Rome in ancient times. The original cobblestone streets are there, the Senate building from Julius Caesar's times stands in perfect condition (we even could go inside), and there are tons of ruins of temples, government buildings, shops, etc. Some of these ancient buildings are still in use.

We spent most of a day exploring this Ancient side of Rome. (Our wonderful guidebook called it the Caesar Shuffle.) It was one of our favorite days!

Below are some pictures. I don't have time to edit them, so they are rough and I don't have many vertical ones, because I have done any editing.

Inside of Colosseum
I don't really like this picture of me, but it is cool because it shows the underground of the Colosseum. The place where the animals were stored, the gladiators had their dressing rooms and such. He really reminded me of scenes from Gladiator.

Jeremy outside the Colosseum

The Temple of Vestal Virgins where they kept the Eternal Flame going.

The throne room at Palatine Hill. Jeremy is standing on the place where the Emporer's throne stood.

Palatine Hill

The Triumphal Arch. The Jews of helped carve this had to depict their own defeat and subsequent bondage when Jerusalem fell to the Rome.

The Arch of Constatine. The art is mostly recycled and the arch was assembled to commemorate Constatine's victory under the cross and the resulting legalization of Christianity. I have a better shot, but it needs editing. If I get back to it, I'll replace it.

The Roman Forum

This still working fountain is on the way up from the Roman Forum to Palatine Hill.

A view of the Roman Forum from the Colosseum.