The Colosseum is an icon, not only of Italy, but of an entire civilisation. Every film based in Rome probably has scene with it in and, let’s face it, we all love watching Gladiator (Russell Crow, what a legend!). We got up early, grabbed a European MacDonald’s breakfast (coffee and croissant) and jumped on the subway to the Colosseum. We had a bit of a walk but that only built up the anticipation I felt. I was a little worried that it wouldn’t live up to my expectations but it really exceeded them.

It was even bigger than I expected it to be! We got chatting to a girl who was promoting tours around the area (she was going to go to university in Birmingham…unlucky) and we decided to go on one. I was a little concerned they were going to run off with our money but it turned out to a fantastic choice. As you’d expect, there were huge queues to get into the Colosseum and we managed to skip them because we were part of a tour. We were given snazzy headsets and told about all animal slaughtering, Christian burning and gladiator slaying. I found it completely fascinating! People might say it’s too touristy but I encourage everyone reading this to go have a visit.

Here’s a little bit of boring information about the Colosseum:

*Emperor Vespasian ordered its construction at around 70AD on the site of lake.

*The Roman people loved it because it was seen as giving an area in the centre of Rome back to them. It was Emperor Nero’s private garden.

*It took 10 years to build and was the site of many gladiatorial battles and public executions.

*As time went on, the site was robbed of metal and stone.

*In 1749, Pope Benedict XIV sanctified the Colosseum as it was a place where early Christians had been martyred.

*The Colosseum was partially buried so Benito Mussolini, in the 1930s, ordered it to be excavated.

*In 1993, the Colosseum was restored with portions of the structure being rebuilt.



What I found particularity interesting was that Ancient Romans had their own seats in the Colosseum. They had seat numbers like in football grounds today. So it was like going to the New Camp all over again!

In most places, we found that we were spending all our money on water. So we came prepared that day. We had nipped to a supermarket by our hostel before we left and got some drinks and snacks. A top tip there to save money!

I thought I’d save a bit of money too by getting post cards off this nice old woman for a couple of euros…I found out later they were being sold for €1 at the shops. I was not happy!

Our tour continued, with the lovely Mya, into the Roman Forum.



Palatine Hill is at the centre of the mythology of Rome. I was completely ignorant to this story until the tour. It just shows why the cost of the tour was completely worth it. Anyway, it’s the story of Romulus and Remus who were the original founders of Rome. Legend has it, (sounding corny..I know) that Amulius was worried that his niece would bear a child that could over through him. So he made is niece, Rhea Silvia, become a Vestal Virgin (virgin being the main word). His plan was going well until the god Mars got the hots for Rhea. He seduced her in the woods and 9 months later she had twins, Romulus and Remus. This is where the story gets very familiar! The King orders the death of these infants but instead they were laid in a basket and placed on the banks of the River Tiber. The River carried them down stream until they ended up on Palatine Hill. They were nursed by a she-wolf and this is why you see this sculpture everywhere in Rome.



Of course, as Shakira taught us, She-Wolf is an ancient slag term for a prostitute. Good video but terrible song! Anyway! Many years on the two brothers manage to kill the King Amulius and give the crown to his brother. The twins then went to back to Palatine Hill to build a city. After an argument, Romulus killed Remus and built Rome. It attracted many people seeking a new life but the majority were criminals, escaped slaves and refugees. It was a complete sausage-fest! So Romulus invited all the men from a neighbouring tribe to a fake festival, killed them all and took all of their women for Rome (‘The Rape of the Sabine Women’).

Just over the hill is the Roman Forum. The centre of democracy in the Roman world…well, when Rome was being democratic…It’s such an amazing area with so much Roman architecture pushed in one place. Let’s just run through a few:
Temple of Castor and Pollux
Temple of Saturn
Temple of Vesta
Temple of Venus and Roma
Temple of Antoninus and Faustina
Temple of Caesar
Temple of Vespasian and Titus
Temple of Concord
Temple of Romulus
Shrine of Venus Cloacina
Basilica Aemilia
Basilica Julia
Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine
Arch of Septimius Severus
Arch of Titus
Arch of Tiberius
Arch of Augustus

It’s such a spectacle to see all these fantastic buildings. My favourite building (I realise that’s a sad statement before I continue), was the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina. This was where St. Laurence was martyred by being grilled to death. Funnily enough, the Catholic Church made him the patron saint of barbeques. There are huge gouges in the pillars as well from where chains were wrapped around them in an attempt to pull them down. Not even elephants could move them. A nice little story there!



Just so much history! So much so that the day isn't over....To Be Continued!!!