Self-guided tour Imperial Rome: 12 interesting places, photo, description
We invite you to take a trip to one of the most sacred places on the planet – the majestic Ancient Rome! The unique city was able to absorb the best that was in its long history. Here every ruin, every architectural monument is worth its weight in gold.
Coliseum
We decided to choose as the starting point of our route one of the most fascinating buildings of the Roman Empire – the Colosseum. Despite the fact that the construction of the most grandiose amphitheater of the ancient world took place at the very beginning of our era, the building was well preserved and still arouses sincere admiration and admiration for the skill of Roman architects. By the way, initially there was a lake in this place, which was part of the Golden House of the despotic ruler Nero, who committed suicide after the betrayal of his supporters.
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Connoisseurs of history probably know that the Roman amphitheater became famous not only for its grandiose size and bloody spectacles that took place in its arena. This is the first building of its kind, where the places were numbered and distributed according to estates.
The best places were with the nobility, members of the imperial families, priests. Well, in the farthest rows, women, foreigners, the poor and slaves tried to consider everything that happened in the arena. Even today, every visitor to the Colosseum is required to present an iron token with the specified location.
The modern view of the amphitheater allows tourists to see what this majestic building looked like in its heyday and what service rooms were located under its stage.
Arch of Constantine
Not far from the Colosseum is the triumphal arch of Constantine, which was erected in 315 in honor of the significant victory over Maxentius. Interestingly, many of the existing decorative elements and decorations were dismantled from earlier monuments. The second interesting fact is that this is the only building that was dedicated not to victory over external enemies, but to the end of the civil war.
The structure is 21 meters high and 25.7 meters wide. Quality marble was used as the main building and finishing material.
Roman forum
The central square of Ancient Rome boasts no less impressive and vibrant history. Initially, market rows were located here, and trade flourished. A little later, places for public meetings appeared, a curia was created, where the Senate met. Soon the main center of trade acquired political functions.
It is believed that in ancient times there was a desert and swampy area, dotted with many springs. And at first, burials of ancient inhabitants were even held here. And the houses of the Romans were located on nearby hillocks. Therefore, even today the Roman Forum has a special relationship.
sacred road
Meet the most famous road of Ancient Rome, along which honored guests of the city, rulers and their accompanying processions moved. It connects the Capitol to the Palatine Hill, and its covering, which protects against rain and dirt, was created in the 5th century BC.
During the reign of Nero, the road was fortified, and colonnades were installed as decorations. Even then, the road had a width of three meters, its own sewage channel, through which water rushed to the Big sewer. In addition to the passage of honored guests, the road had another purpose – during the celebrations of victory in battles and religious holidays, triumphal processions took place here.
Region
This building was located on the territory of the Roman Forum, right at the foot of the Palatine Temple. Initially, he was assigned the role of the main residence of the rulers of the city, but after a certain time the Supreme Pontiff settled in it.
Unfortunately, only the foundation of the building has survived to this day. With the change of rulers and the form of government of Rome, the regia was repeatedly destroyed, rebuilt and changed its purpose. It is believed that the name comes from the Latin term “regia”, which means “royal house”, and it is associated with the name of the second king of Rome, Numa Pompilius, who created a real palace on this site.
Rostrum
This ancient speaker's tribune has been recreated by archaeologists. According to historical information, the original rostra was restored after the victory of Augustus over Cleopatra's navy. Then, the prows of captured Egyptian ships were used as the main decorations for the podium, symbolizing another significant victory for the Romans.
Capitoline she-wolf
Perhaps the most famous sculptural asset of Ancient Rome is the statue of the Capitoline she-wolf. It dates back to the 5th century BC. and introduces us to the legend of the babies fed by the she-wolf – Romulus and Remus, who were destined to become the founders of the Eternal City. The Romans believed that the she-wolf was the totem of their ancestors – the Etruscan tribes, whose culture had a significant impact on the formation of Roman civilization.
capitol hill
This hill is the most famous among the seven hills on which the first ancient Roman buildings arose. The hill was allotted for the needs of the temple of the same name, where significant meetings of the Senate took place, the most important issues were resolved.
Trajan's Column
This monument was also created in honor of the iconic victory of the Romans. This time, the Dacian tribes acted as opponents of the legionnaires. The height of the column is 38 meters, and inside there is a spiral staircase, with the help of which they climbed to a special platform.
The main decoration of the column is a 190-meter bas-relief in the form of a ribbon that wraps around the monument. It depicts episodes of the mentioned building.
Palatine
Another hill of Ancient Rome, on which the first settlements appeared. Initially, cattle grazed here, so the hill was named after the patroness of cattle, Pales. The first sacrifices to the gods also took place here.
big circus
In the valley at the foot of the Palatine and Aventine hills, the largest ancient Roman hippodrome was located. Its area allowed arranging races in which up to 12 chariots could simultaneously take part. It is believed that the first such races were arranged in the 5th century BC.
Mouth of Truth
Under such a mysterious name lies an antique marble slab, which depicts the mask of Triton. It is believed that the monument was created in the 4th century BC, and in the 17th century it was placed in the Roman church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. The Romans believed that if a liar put his hand into the open mouth of a deity, he would definitely bite it off.