IMG_0831

When in Rome…

by

Often referred to as ‘The Eternal City’, Rome is one of the oldest cities in Europe and considered one of the birthplaces of Western civilisation. The monuments and historical sites around the city pay testament to this legacy

There is always a whole host of reasons for cultural explorers to visit Europe at least once in a lifetime, either to savour authentic foods or to discover unique places, people and beyond. 
 
This summer I set off on my first-ever journey to Europe in the hope of enjoying the beautiful sunshine, and my starting point was the gorgeous Italian capital of Rome. 
 
My stay in the city was all about expanding my horizons. Making every hour count there meant letting the timeless grandeur and beauty of the place seep into my soul.  And no trip to Rome would be complete without a visit to the Coliseum.
 
Also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, the Coliseum is the largest arena in the former Roman Empire.  This vast entertainment arena, with seating capacity of between 50 000 and 75 000, could be filled in ten minutes and, according to history, the Roman Emperor Vespasian ordered the Coliseum to be built on the site of Nero’s palace, the Domus Aurea, to dissociate himself from the hated tyrant. 
 
Vespasian’s aim was to gain popularity by staging deadly combats between gladiators and wild animals for public entertainment. During the inaugural games in 80AD the massacre that took place was on an epic scale, with over 5 000 wild animals and 3 000 people killed over 100 days.
 
Gladiators were usually slaves, prisoners of war or condemned criminals. Most were men, but there were also a few female gladiators. These battles were attended by the poor, the rich and frequently by the emperor himself.  
 
Legend has it that lions, panthers, crocodiles, elephants, hippopotamuses and giraffes fresh out of Africa were brought to fight the gladiators. There are countless stories of gory battles between gladiators, slaves, prisoners and wild animals staged in this very amphitheatre. 
 
One contest after another took place over the course of a single day. As gladiators fought, vicious bloodthirsty cries and curses could be heard from the audience around the Coliseum, and when the ground became too soaked with blood it was covered with a fresh layer of sand, and the show went on. The games saw the most famous gladiators fight to their death. 
 
For over 500 years the arena was the site for brutal battles; the gladiatorial games continued until Christianity progressively put an end to those fights that led to human deaths. 
 
Nowhere in the world has there ever been a bigger or more glorious setting for mass slaughter and it’s a must-see for history lovers.
 
Just outside the Coliseum is the Arch of Constantine, a 25m high monument built in 315AD to mark the victory of Constantine over Maxentius, at Pons Milvius. Also to be found on my cultural quest was one of Rome’s most notable monuments, the monument of Victor Emmanuel II.  
 
Built in the early 20th century, it is also known as the `Altar of the homeland’ and was constructed in honour of Victor Emmanuel, the first king of a unified Italy. The base of the structure houses the museum of Italian Reunification and the imposing structure is 135 metres wide and 70 metres in height.
 
Built of white marble from Botticino, Brescia, it features stairways, Corinthian columns, fountains, an equestrian sculpture of Victor Emmanuel and two statues of the goddess Victoria riding on a chariot. Considered by many as too colossal and bright, the monument has been given nicknames such as `typewriter’ and `wedding cake.’ But still it’s a Roman landmark that receives many visitors and the monument is nevertheless worth a visit, even if only for the great views from the top. 
 
Another place you can’t afford to miss on your itinerary in Rome is the dazzling Trevi Fountain, situated at the end of the Aqua Virgo, an aqueduct constructed in 19 BC. Standing 26.3 metres high and 49.15 metres wide, it is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world.
 
In 19BC, Roman technicians located a source of pure water in Salone Springs, about 13 km away from the city, however, the eventual indirect route made its length almost 22 km. The fountain was at the end of one of the aqueducts that supplied water to ancient Rome for over 400 years. 
 
The backdrop for the fountain is the Palazzo Poli, given a new façade with a giant order of Corinthian pilasters and the central figure of the fountain, in front of a large niche, is Neptune, god of the sea. 
 
Riding a chariot in the shape of a shell, Neptune is pulled by two sea horses. The water at the bottom represents the sea and one of the horses is calm and obedient, while the other is agitated, symbolizing the fluctuating moods of the sea.
 
On the left hand side of Neptune is a statue representing Abundance, while the statue on the right represents Salubrity. Above the sculptures are bas-reliefs; one of them depicts Agrippa, the general who built the aqueduct that carries water to the fountain. 
 
A traditional legend holds that if I throw a coin into the water, I will return to Rome, and I should toss it over my shoulder with my back to the fountain. I did so, and in addition to my hopeful return to Rome, my action is also supposed to bring me good luck.
 
Over thousands of Euros are thrown into the fountain each day and the money has been used to subsidise a supermarket for Rome’s needy, but there are regular attempts to steal coins from the fountain! 
 
There are many places in Rome where it’s worth spending time to unearth unexpected finds. Just keep your eyes open for the nooks and nuances in this ancient city, and let the timeless grandeur and beauty of the place seep into your soul.
Facebook
WhatsApp
Threads
X
Email

More from the author

More of this category

Featured

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Older Issues

Living and Arts Magazine

現已發售 NOW ON SALE

KNOW MORE LiVE BETTER