Roman Forum and Colosseum

Day 4

After our first two days of eating, it was finally time for some history! We began at the Roman Forum, where our guide, Italo, led us through the experience. He was incredibly knowledgeable and talked nonstop for the next three hours—so thorough that there weren’t many questions left to ask!

At first, we got some disappointing news: the Forum was closed due to a power outage, so we couldn’t go inside. Oh no! Italo did his best to guide us to vantage points where we could still see parts of it, but it just wasn’t the same.

Then, about 30 minutes in, the power came back on and we were finally allowed to enter. Oh my goodness—it was like stepping into another world, one that had shaped the course of history long before Christ.

Who's that? Oh, that's just Bryan
walking on the oldest street in the world!
It's made of volcanic stone.

This is the "Prison of the Holy Apostles of God, Peter and Paul". Italo told us the disciples were imprisoned here, and later Peter was crucified upside down on a cross because he was unworthy of dying in the same way as Christ.

An overview of the entire forum from above.

     

This is the gate of a temple dedicated to the many gods the Romans worshiped. Take a look at the close-up on the left side of the arch—the craftsmanship is absolutely incredible. It’s around 2,000 years old, which makes it even more mind-blowing to see how well it has endured.

The columns below were just as impressive—so tall and commanding that you can easily imagine them supporting the structure in Roman times. It’s amazing to think that all of this was built with such precision and strength that it’s still standing today.

Italo, our guide, is holding a picture of what the Forum looked like over 2,000 years ago (509 BC–27 BC). In the image, you can see the Curia Julia, the Senate house rebuilt by Julius Caesar. In the live photo, you can spot the remains of that very same building, still standing today.

The Roman Forum was truly the heart of Roman life—political, religious, and commercial—all centered in one place. And at the far end, you can see the Colosseum, once the city’s grand stage for entertainment.

Behind our smiling faces is the entrance to the Roman Forum.

On the right above is the oldest road in the world, the Appian Way, which began in the Roman Forum. It served as a vital route to the coast, used for transporting military supplies and improving communication across the Roman Empire.

In the next photo, the large pillar is the Column of Phocas, dedicated to Phocas in recognition of his support of the Church—most notably for donating the Pantheon to Pope Boniface IV. A gilded statue of Phocas once stood at the top, though it has long since disappeared.

I, for one, am grateful they
translated this sign to English.

This is the site where Julius Caesar was cremated. Although he was assassinated in a different location, his body was brought here by grieving mourners. He was meant to be buried, but in their fervor, they accidentally cremated him. 😬

Later, a temple was built in his honor—the Temple of Divus Julius, dedicated to the “Divine Julius.

This circular building is the Temple of Vesta. Vesta was the goddess of the hearth, home, family, and sacred fire. The temple housed her eternal flame, a powerful symbol of Rome’s safety and prosperity.

The fire was tended by six elite priestesses known as the Vestal Virgins, who lived just behind the temple in, you guessed it, the House of the Vestal Virgins. Their sacred duty continued for centuries, until it finally came to an end in 391 AD, when the flame was extinguished by Theodosius I.

These are the remains of the
House of the Vestal Virgins.

This row of statues was to represent the Vestal Virgins. 

The Temple of Divus Romulus was dedicated to the son of Maxentius who died young in the 4th centuary AD.

Here is a look at the forum from the opposite end. We were looking forward to the Roman Forum and it was every bit amazing as we thought it would be. I could add so many more photos and history, but I'll hold here for now.

Next up is... bedtime! I'll blog the Colosseum tomorrow! 🩷