Mast's Awesome Scenic Travels: Rome: October 9-10, 2024

Our first full day in Rome, Shawn set up a tour through the ruins in Rome and to the Colosseum. She was full of information about what we saw.

We saw the Colosseum last, but I want this pic to show as the title photo…more about the Colosseum later.

We started our tour looking at the courtyard of the ruins, near the prison ruins.

Below is the prison where many believe Peter and Paul were imprisoned and then crucified. Those who were sent to this prison did not expect to live here - basically they were on death row.

Later, in the medieval times, a church was built on top of the prison ruins - that’s why the door is way above with no steps.

Skeletons found at the sight

A tribute to Peter and Paul

A very dark jail cell.

There were many different forums that were built in Rome. We walked through Caesar’s Forum

One of the basilica’s (not a church then) later made into a church during the time of Constantine. Basilicas taken by the persecuted Christians kept the name “Basilica” often along with the name of a saint.

The busy Main Street

This was a building dedicated to Divae Faustian, the beloved wife of Divo Antonio. Again, if you notice the door with no steps going up to it, you can tell that this church built on top of the ruins - no need for steps.

Statues of the 6 virgins.

These virgins were to keep the fire lit in the city. If the fire went out, or if they were accused of wrongdoing, they were buried alive - because they were so revered and no one could touch them.

Some art work

Then we made our way to the Colosseum. Our guide explained that Hollywood has given the impression that most of the gladiators fought to the death. Actually these gladiators were owned by business men and wealthy people - they did not want to lose their prize men. There were many who died - but usually from infection in their wounds.

Inside the Colosseum

This is at the main level. There was a wooden floor with sand on it (to soak in the rain and blood) on top of the basement level where animals, gladiators and prisoners waited.

Here you can see the lower level. The wealthiest sat on the main floor and it got poorer as you went up the levels, with the poorest and women at the top level.

Wednesday night Shawn arranged for us to do a “Taste of Rome” tour. Fabio - our guide first took us to the Jewish Ghetto. He took us to a little restaurant for fried cod and white wine. It was fantastic! The Jews were the ones to introduce fried food (fish) to the Italians - truly light!