Whenever we hear the word Rome
our minds immediately try invoke the image of its past glory and power. This
civilization has never failed to capture the imagination of people from the
poets and artist who sought to copy its culture thus giving birth to the
Renaissance; to powerful rulers like Napoleon who modeled their empires after
it; Rome has always excited the human mind.
The ancient sites are still around
having survived more or less intact and any traveler who sees them can glimpse
Rome’s lost glory and it is our duty to steer the traveler to three of those sites
that symbolizes the glory that was Rome.
1. The Colosseum
The Colosseum of Rome or as it is
originally known Flavian Amphitheatre is the iconic image of Rome in its
Imperial Age. A masterpiece of Roman architectural and engineering skills it is
the largest building in Rome and its purpose was basically an entertainment
center for people of all classes. The full attractions ranged from gladiatorial
battles, re-enacting Classical drama, famous battles and executions. The casual
traveler will be surprised to know that the Colosseum has features that are
similar to modern stadiums such a ticketing system in the form of numbered pottery
shards, separate sitting for people according to their class, a ventilation
system in the form of the velarium and architectural solutions to fill or empty
the place quickly. The place has even a backstage called the hypogeum though
said “backstage” is underground and today the hypogeum is exposed enabling the
traveler to see its layout and walk around it. Today the site used by the Roman
Catholic Church for its ceremonies and is the most popular attraction in Rome.
2. The Pantheon
Located within the area of Rome known as
the Campus Martius (Field of Mars), this building is religious in nature and it
is dedicated to not just one divinity, to every god and goddess of Ancient
Rome. The building is still magnificent due to being well persevered compared to
other ancient buildings and its main attraction is the coffered concrete dome
that has an oculus or a central opening to the sky. Considered as one world's largest
unreinforced concrete dome this structure was originally built by Marcus
Agrippa and was rebuilt twice due to being destroyed by fire. In the medieval
period the Pantheon was converted into a Christian building and consecrated by
Pope Boniface IV, an act that spared the structure from ruination a fate that
most Roman buildings suffered. Today it is still used as a tomb and church by
the Roman Catholics, but for important religious days in the Catholic calendar
and weddings.
3. Roman Forum
If the traveler where to make its way to
a small valley nestled between Capitoline Hills and Palatine he would see the
ruins of what was the heart of Rome, the Forum Romanum or the Roman Forum. The
Roman Forum was indeed its heart and the hub of Roman public life for within
the most important and oldest buildings of the Kingdom of Rome is located. Some
of the most famous buildings like the Comitium, the Temple of Vesta, and the
Regia are all here. One can even say that the seeds of the Senate and
Republican government began here. Roman public life such as public speeches,
criminal trial, elections and commercial affairs where located here. Today the
Forum’s ruins are being constantly preserved and restored.