This post continues the chronicles of Steve Bridge’s class trip to Rome.
We changed it up today with some Pagan Roman history as we toured the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.
Everyone knows what the Coliseum is. We’ve seen it from the outside, but it’s quite amazing to see the inside. Unfortunately it is hard to tell exactly where the seats were as the place has changed a bit over the ages. The central original platform is no longer present, and all that remains are the tunnels underneath it.
Palatine Hill is the site where the Roman Emperors lived. It is built on top of a hill overlooking the Roman Forum and Circus Maximus. Circus Maximus is where they had chariot racing and is now more of a grassy field. Today, the city utilizes it for very large events, while Dr. Bridge and Ms. Fecteau use it for training runs. (They probably would have made good gladiators.) Near the top of Palatine Hill is a site where Romulus and Remus, brothers and the founders of Rome, were believed to have been raised by wolves.
The Roman Forum, which is right next to Palatine Hill, has some interesting structures. It was a place of public gathering and shops, and includes the House of the Vestal Virgins—those individuals responsible for tending the sacred fire of Vesta, the goddess of hearth and home. Seeing some of the remaining ruins just barely began to give me an idea of just how amazing the place was at one point.
In the afternoon, we indulged in a siesta. Dinner was cooked in tonight after we selected our food from the grocery store and cooked it ourselves. The menu consisted of tortellini and sausage that we shared with Dr. Callaway. He is showing no signs of intestinal discomfort—so far!
Submitted by Matthew Pfannenstiel