Rome, the Eternal City. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in
476 AD much of the great city was cannibalized for building material by
the impoverished people living on the penninsula. The Roman Forum
(above), center of the old city, was stripped and much of it was buried.
The Coliseum (right) survived largely because it was believed that
Christians had been martyred here, thus making it holy ground.
Centuries of slow dismantling, earthquakes, and even the rumble of
modern autos have threatened the Coliseum with collapse. However,
Italy has made great strides in shoring up and supporting the old
structure.
476 AD much of the great city was cannibalized for building material by
the impoverished people living on the penninsula. The Roman Forum
(above), center of the old city, was stripped and much of it was buried.
The Coliseum (right) survived largely because it was believed that
Christians had been martyred here, thus making it holy ground.
Centuries of slow dismantling, earthquakes, and even the rumble of
modern autos have threatened the Coliseum with collapse. However,
Italy has made great strides in shoring up and supporting the old
structure.
The Coliseum. Commissioned in 72 AD by the
Emperor Vespasian, the "Flavian Amphitheature" had a
wooden floor covering three levels of substructure
that housed the animals and gladiators (above). The
open roof was covered by a retractable tarp that
provided shade. In 1999 the floor was completely
open. By 2001 Rome had partially rebuilt the floor
and begun to stage theatre in the ancient structure.
Ironically, even though this was held to be sacred
ground, much of its exterior facade was taken as
building for St. Peter's in the Vatican City. Above
right is your humble correspondent in the Coliseum in
1999. -The above and right thumbnails are
clickable links to larger images-
Emperor Vespasian, the "Flavian Amphitheature" had a
wooden floor covering three levels of substructure
that housed the animals and gladiators (above). The
open roof was covered by a retractable tarp that
provided shade. In 1999 the floor was completely
open. By 2001 Rome had partially rebuilt the floor
and begun to stage theatre in the ancient structure.
Ironically, even though this was held to be sacred
ground, much of its exterior facade was taken as
building for St. Peter's in the Vatican City. Above
right is your humble correspondent in the Coliseum in
1999. -The above and right thumbnails are
clickable links to larger images-
The Roman forum attracts visitors from all over the
world. Italy still finds a tribute of sort coming into this
Eternal City. Though not the tribute coerced of the
conquered provinces of antiquity, it is a tribute of tourist
money buying souvenirs, photos, slides, and other
reminders of this great city. -Both thumbnails are
clickable links to higher-res images-
world. Italy still finds a tribute of sort coming into this
Eternal City. Though not the tribute coerced of the
conquered provinces of antiquity, it is a tribute of tourist
money buying souvenirs, photos, slides, and other
reminders of this great city. -Both thumbnails are
clickable links to higher-res images-
Trevi Fountain, built in the 18th Century by
Nicola Salvi. Neptune's chariot is drawn by
seahouses. This fountain, one of Rome's
grandest, is situated at the point the ancient
Roman aqueduct Acqua Virgo terminates. Legend
holds that if one tosses a coin into this fountain
with their back turned, they will return to Rome
one day.
-Image is a clickable link to a higher-res photo.
Nicola Salvi. Neptune's chariot is drawn by
seahouses. This fountain, one of Rome's
grandest, is situated at the point the ancient
Roman aqueduct Acqua Virgo terminates. Legend
holds that if one tosses a coin into this fountain
with their back turned, they will return to Rome
one day.
-Image is a clickable link to a higher-res photo.
