Forum of Caesar: This was the first of Rome’s imperial forums built by Julius Caesar in 54 BC.
Forum of Augustus: Built to celebrate Augustus’s victory over Julius Caesar’s assassins, Brutus and Cassius, at the Battle of Philippi in 41 BC.
Forum of Augustus - Photo courtesy of Flickr
Forum of Nerva: The Forum of Nerva was begun by Nerva’s predecessor, Domitian, and completed in 97 AD.
Forum of Nerva: The Forum of Nerva was begun by Nerva’s predecessor, Domitian, and completed in 97 AD.
Forum of Nerva - Photo courtesy of Flickr
Trajans Forum and Market: Originally considered among the wonders of the Classical World, Trajan built this complex of 150 shops and offices in the early 2nd century AD. It was originally 387 x 292 feet (over 4 football fields).
Trajans Market- Photo courtesy of Flickr
Temple of Romulus in the Church of Santi Cosma e Damtano: No one is sure to who the Temple of Romulus was dedicated, but it’s believed to be to the son of the Emperor Maxentius. The bronze doors are original. Since the 6th century, the temple has acted as a vestibule to the Church of Santi Cosma e Damiano.
Temple of Romulus in the Church of Santi Cosma e Damtano: No one is sure to who the Temple of Romulus was dedicated, but it’s believed to be to the son of the Emperor Maxentius. The bronze doors are original. Since the 6th century, the temple has acted as a vestibule to the Church of Santi Cosma e Damiano.
Temple of Romulus - Photo courtesy of Flickr
Column of Trajan: This column was inaugurated by Trajan in 113 AD to celebrate his two campaigns in Dacia (Romania). The column and base are 131 feet high. When Trajan died in 117 AD, his ashes and those of his wife were placed in a golden urn in the base of the column. The column survived largely thanks to Pope Gregory I. He was so moved by a relief showing Trajan helping a woman whose son had been killed that he begged God to release the emperor’s soul from hell. God appeared to the pope to say that Trajan had been rescued, but asked him not to pray for the souls of any more pagans. Legend has it that when the ashes were exhumed, his skull and tongue were intact and his tongue told of his release from Hell. The land around the column was then declared sacred – and the statue of Trajan on the top of the columns was replaced with St Peter.
Column of Trajan: This column was inaugurated by Trajan in 113 AD to celebrate his two campaigns in Dacia (Romania). The column and base are 131 feet high. When Trajan died in 117 AD, his ashes and those of his wife were placed in a golden urn in the base of the column. The column survived largely thanks to Pope Gregory I. He was so moved by a relief showing Trajan helping a woman whose son had been killed that he begged God to release the emperor’s soul from hell. God appeared to the pope to say that Trajan had been rescued, but asked him not to pray for the souls of any more pagans. Legend has it that when the ashes were exhumed, his skull and tongue were intact and his tongue told of his release from Hell. The land around the column was then declared sacred – and the statue of Trajan on the top of the columns was replaced with St Peter.
Trajan's Column- Photo courtesy of Flickr
After the tour, we decided to brave the Roman traffic and rent a scooter. The freedom from buses and taxis was exhilarating – as was the Roman driving style. We quickly realized that there were no rules for scooters. Driving on sidewalks, maneuvering through backed up lanes of cars, were all no problem for the scooter drivers.
We headed down the Appian Way. The first part of this road was built in 312 BC. It was extended in 190 BC to the port of, Brindisi and became Rome’s link with its’ expanding empire. It was a beautiful drive, a welcome relief from the crazed Roman traffic.
After the tour, we decided to brave the Roman traffic and rent a scooter. The freedom from buses and taxis was exhilarating – as was the Roman driving style. We quickly realized that there were no rules for scooters. Driving on sidewalks, maneuvering through backed up lanes of cars, were all no problem for the scooter drivers.
We headed down the Appian Way. The first part of this road was built in 312 BC. It was extended in 190 BC to the port of, Brindisi and became Rome’s link with its’ expanding empire. It was a beautiful drive, a welcome relief from the crazed Roman traffic.
Appian Way -Photo courtesy of Flickr
Church of Quo Vadis: This church was built on the spot where St Peter, fleeing from Rome and certain crucifixion, met Christ walking into the city. He asked, “Domine, Quo Vadis” (Lord, where are you going?). Christ replied, “I go to Rome to be crucified a second time”. Peter promptly offered to return to Rome to be crucified in his place. Inside the church is a piece of pavement bearing the imprint of Christ’s feet.
Church of Quo Vadis: This church was built on the spot where St Peter, fleeing from Rome and certain crucifixion, met Christ walking into the city. He asked, “Domine, Quo Vadis” (Lord, where are you going?). Christ replied, “I go to Rome to be crucified a second time”. Peter promptly offered to return to Rome to be crucified in his place. Inside the church is a piece of pavement bearing the imprint of Christ’s feet.
Church of Quo Vadis - Photo courtesy of Flickr
Museum of the Wall, Porta San Aurela: The museum is inside the Porta San Sebastiano, the Appian Way’s gateway through the Aurelian Wall. The Aurelian Wall was begun by Emperor Aurelian (270-75 AD) and completed by his successor, Probius (276-82 AD). It was ordered to act as a defense against marauding Germanic tribes. It ran 11 miles around with 18 gates and 381 towers.
Baths of Caracalla: It was completed by Emperor Caracalla in 217 AD and functioned for about 300 years before the “plumbing” was destroyed by the Goths. This was the second largest spa complex in ancient Rome with pools, 2 gymnasiums, libraries, gardens, and could accommodate more than 1600 people.
Museum of the Wall, Porta San Aurela: The museum is inside the Porta San Sebastiano, the Appian Way’s gateway through the Aurelian Wall. The Aurelian Wall was begun by Emperor Aurelian (270-75 AD) and completed by his successor, Probius (276-82 AD). It was ordered to act as a defense against marauding Germanic tribes. It ran 11 miles around with 18 gates and 381 towers.
Baths of Caracalla: It was completed by Emperor Caracalla in 217 AD and functioned for about 300 years before the “plumbing” was destroyed by the Goths. This was the second largest spa complex in ancient Rome with pools, 2 gymnasiums, libraries, gardens, and could accommodate more than 1600 people.
Baths of Caracalla - Photos courtesy of Flickr
Catacombs and Basilica of San Sebastian The catacombs were constructed in the 3rd and 4th centuries. Roman law required all Romans, for hygienic reasons, to bury bodies outside the city walls. At one time, Peter and Paul were buried here.
Before heading back to the craziness of Rome, we found a little garden bar and had a beer.
Back in Trastevere, we found a tiny little restaurant on a hidden street with tables outside, called Da Lucia. It was a family run trattoria and served “la cucina de ‘na vorta” (cooking as it was once upon a time). We had a wonderful spaghetti alla Griccia, made with pancetta, pecorino cheese and fresh black pepper.
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