The Colloseum was built in 70 AD by the Emperor Vespasian, as a giant public relations effort and propoganda machine. The 'games' and events at the site, which were free to the public, were often gruesome beyond description. For example, during the inaugural games 9,000 wild animals were killed. Later gladitorial contests were held, and of course, the ever popular feeding of christians to lions.
The top picture shows the 'hypogeum' or system of underground tunnels where animals and gladiators waited to appear.
It's also reported that they could flood the floor to allow ships to sail and conduct recreations of naval battles!
After the Colosseum we went to the Palatine, or area of the palaces of Augustus and later emperors, all now in ruins. The hill on which these once oppulent residences reside overlooks the ancient Roman Forum, the center of Roman public life, also now a jumble of ruins. The picture of Jasper below shows him overlooking the Forum just above the Temple of the Vestal Virgins. Here a flame was kept alive in honor of the goddess Vesta.
This last picture is of a modern sculpture in the ancient Roman Forum with a 13th century church tower behind. Are you confused yet?
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