Our First Stop in Rome Had to Be the Famous Colloseum. It Was Larger Than Life, Just Like

5/22 Rome

Our first stop in Rome had to be the famous Colloseum. It was larger than life, just like in the movie Gladiator! You could even take your picture with a "Roman soldier" outside the stadium (for a small price of course). The three story building was built in only eight years and it was able to hold 60,000 to 70,000 roaring spectators.

These are the catacombs under the floor of the Colloseum. They housed the gladiators and the animals used for the bloody fights. It was really interesting to see these because they were actually two floors beneath the ground. Just imagine what was going throught the gladiators minds as they walked through these chambers!

During the age of the emperors of Rome, the Roman Forum was the place to be. Walking down the Sacred Way, there were temples, theaters, basilicas, arches and tombs. For example, there is a small building containing the ashes of Julius Ceasar and another underground tomb said to be of the first king of Rome, Romulus. Behind the forum was the Palantine Hill where DoumusAgustana built his castle. Most of the Forum was in ruins but you can still feel the majesty of the place.

Did you know that the water of Rome is actually sweet? Yes! The ancient Romans built an aquaduct beneath the Rome and it is still supplying the city today. There are several spots where passerbys can fill their bottles or just take a cool drink. Needless to say this is a step up from Egypt where we couldn't even brush our teeth with the water.

The largest monument in Rome is the Vittoriano. This is called the altar of the mother country and commemorates the first king of Italy. It also holds the tomb of the unknown soldier. There were huge bronze chariot statues on each tower of the building. This building was monstrous, there was no way we could take it all in!

The most amazing fountain that we saw was the Trevi Fountain in downtown Rome. It took 30 years to build it. The legend says that if you toss in ONE coin you will return to Rome, TWO to find love, and THREE to break up with your significant other. We also saw a newly wed couple taking their wedding photos here - how sweet!

May Seminar, 2001 -- Math 300