The Roman Forum or Foro Romano, was once the political, religious and commercial center of the city and the center of the civilized world. When you visit the site these days, you have to bring a healthy imagination in order to really picture the extent of the grandeur that once was. The city was born right here in the main square, although there are numerous conflicting mythical theories about how Rome was actually founded.
Walking around the Forum, it's easy to get lost amongst giant crowds of tourists from around the world. Even in May, which isn't quite the peak of tourist season yet, there are thousands who flock to these famous sights. So it's really a good practice in serenity and focus. As soon as I walked in, I started to tune everyone out. I stopped listening to international voices and only focused in on the thoughts that ran through my head as I was walking through what was once a thriving political, religious and commercial center. My guidebook was telling me to try to see it through "period eyes." The structures were once white with colorful monuments and buildings mixed in. I was starting to see it…
I used to be easily distracted, which often led to visible frustration and not being mindful of important moments. I used to get really annoyed if someone was speaking like they had a megaphone instead of vocal chords, but these days, I don't let it bother me. I know I don't have control over what others do, but I do have control over how I let it affect me. I really believe that as long as you make that conscious effort to focus, it's easy to clear the mechanism in your brain and remove everything you don't want from that moment. As I sat down on a set of stairs, I was seeing and hearing less and less of the people surrounding me and more and more of what was in front of me.
I was looking at the three columns left standing of the Temple of Castor and Pollux, one of the most photographed sights at the Forum and I was picturing the togo-clad senators meeting at the temple to discuss politics, the weather, and whatever gossip they had to share that day.
The Temple of Vesta is one of Rome's most sacred spots, from what's left of it, you can still make out the circular shape and picture Rome's residents gathering there around the sacred flame that burned within. It was so sacred that it was tended to by carefully selected Vestal Virgins, who were chosen at the age of 10 and required to serve 30-year terms.
According to legend, the virgins took a vow of chastity for 30 years and if they served that term faithfully, they were given a large sum of cash and allowed to marry. (Apparently, 40-year-old virgins were high in demand back then.) So what would happen if the virgins strayed and gave it up before their 30-year term was up? Well, it was bad. They were apparently strapped to a funeral carriage, paraded through town, then buried alive in a crypt. Therefore, if you were selected to be a Vestal Virgin, it was probably a good idea to keep your legs closed. What's 30 years of chastity compared to being buried alive?!
According to legend, the virgins took a vow of chastity for 30 years and if they served that term faithfully, they were given a large sum of cash and allowed to marry. (Apparently, 40-year-old virgins were high in demand back then.) So what would happen if the virgins strayed and gave it up before their 30-year term was up? Well, it was bad. They were apparently strapped to a funeral carriage, paraded through town, then buried alive in a crypt. Therefore, if you were selected to be a Vestal Virgin, it was probably a good idea to keep your legs closed. What's 30 years of chastity compared to being buried alive?!
As I'm reading all these stories in my guidebook, I'm really picturing all of it well: the buildings, the senators, the virgins… It's pretty strange to see what's left, knowing what it used to be and I couldn't help but wonder how much longer these ruins would remain. Will the pieces I see now continue to be around for thousands of years so that generations from now, my great, great, great something-or-other would be able to imagine what I'm imagining right now in 2014?
Next, I made my way up to Palatine Hill, which is just to the left of the Forum but often ignored by tourists. Walking up the lush greenery of the Farnese Gardens and a fantastic view of the Forum below it, was peaceful to say the least. It required a lot less effort to focus up there. I was happy to have some time on a bench alone, just basking in the sunshine and the quiet and reading about what I was about to see on Palatine Hill. If you keep walking you can see the house of Augustus/Octavian, the first emperor of Rome and his wife, Livia's house just next door. For an emperor, Augustus lived rather modestly, tucked away from the busy Forum area. Of course when I noticed him and his wife had separate homes, I thought, oh my, wonder what that was about. (Drama!) At the top of the hill you get to see a phenomenal panoramic view of the city and as you can see, it was a gorgeous day! I stood up there for quite some time just taking all this in...
Now, I was on a mission to find Maximus Decimus Meridius and his homies...
The first time I saw Gladiator, I immediately thought of my first trip to the Roman Colosseum. Even now, it stands proud, representing Rome at its most grand. Officially known as the "Flavian Amphitheater," it was the center of entertainment for ancient Rome. Thankfully, as a human race, we've evolved from the time when watching people kill each other was a form of entertainment. (Or have we?) 50,000 people could fit in the colosseum at one time, partaking in the most popular "spectator sport" of the time.
The first time I saw Gladiator, I immediately thought of my first trip to the Roman Colosseum. Even now, it stands proud, representing Rome at its most grand. Officially known as the "Flavian Amphitheater," it was the center of entertainment for ancient Rome. Thankfully, as a human race, we've evolved from the time when watching people kill each other was a form of entertainment. (Or have we?) 50,000 people could fit in the colosseum at one time, partaking in the most popular "spectator sport" of the time.
According to my guidebook, the look of the colosseum says a lot about the Romans. They were great engineers, not artists, so the building is more functional than it is beautiful. (I concur.) The ever present Greek influence is evident in the columns and style of each level. At one point, copies of Greek statues stood tall throughout the building as well. After all these years, only about one-third of the building still stands. The functionality of the architecture is something to be admired. There were multiple ways spectators could enter and exit so the place could both fill up and empty rather quickly. And anyone who has ever been stuck getting into or out of a sports arena can understand how great that is!
If you use your imagination when glancing at the intricate passageways beneath the arena, you can picture the different ways the wild animals and warriors would pop up into the arena, just like in the movie. In all honestly, I did a quick spin around the inside and quickly made me way back out. I've been here twice before and of all the things I've seen and have yet to see in Rome, this is now the least interesting. Funny how things change. This was one of my favorite highlights of Rome the last time I was here. But I'm older now and I see so much more to Rome than what this colosseum represents. I'm extremely grateful for the fact that I live in a time when my entertainment is to go watch guys dunk a ball in a hoop or shoot a puck into a net as opposed to watching men murder each other in the name of entertainment. It just wasn't interesting anymore.
To quote a line from Gladiator: "The beating heart of Rome is not the marble of the Senate, it's the sand of the Colosseum." Legend has it that as long as the colosseum stands, the city of Rome stands. So for that sake alone, I hope it stands forever…
To quote a line from Gladiator: "The beating heart of Rome is not the marble of the Senate, it's the sand of the Colosseum." Legend has it that as long as the colosseum stands, the city of Rome stands. So for that sake alone, I hope it stands forever…