Italy: The Forum - Think of it as the Marketplace of Rome
The Roman Forum - perhaps calling it a marketplace is a bit misleading, though a marketplace was certainly one of its functions. It was the center of all activities of Roman life. It was the site for triumphal processions, elections, business, worship, trials - everything, really.
This sign pretty much applies to everything in Rome. Anywhere you dig you are likely to come across some ancient artifact. Actually, the last thing you want when trying to dig a foundation for your house is to come across some artifacts, because then you have to stop and have it professionally removed. A construction of a new metro line has been delayed twenty years, because they kept on digging up interesting stuff. Interesting stuff like an entire Roman military barracks thought to house Emperor Hadrian's Praetorian Guard.
Looking back along the Forum, you see that it ends (or actually begins) at the Colosseum. As a point of interest, this area was a marsh until the 6th century B.C.E., when the Romans built the Cloaca Maxima to drain it. This translates to the 'Greatest Sewer', which sounds like they were pretty full of themselves. Except for the fact that here we are 2,600 years later and the thing is still running. So maybe they had a point.
These imposing columns are all that remain of the Temple of Saturn. This was dedicated to the god of wealth, and the building fittingly contained the treasury. Oh, and it dates from 498 B.C.E. Incidentally the feast of Saturnalia was celebrated from 19th December onwards, involved gift giving, drinking, eating and general merrymaking. Hmmmmmmm.
This arch in the Forum is the arch of Septimus Severus. It was completed in 203 C.E. to commemorate victories against the Parthians (who were part of the Persian empire, but eventually rebelled and even held Judea for some years). This was just a year after Septimus issued an edict banning Christians from proselytising. Which of course they ignored.
Of special interest to us is Augustus. He was the great-nephew of Caesar, and 31 B.C.E. became the emperor. He made reforms to the government, rebuilt temples and in 2 B.C.E issued an edict that all should be registered. This is recorded in Luke 2:1-3 and resulted in fulfillment of Bible prophecy as to where the Messiah would be born.
This is our witty and knowledgeable friend Luke sharing his wisdom with us. Thank you Luke! What fabulous company with whom to roam around Rome.
'Enough historical stuff!' you say. 'Where's the shopping bits?' you demand. Thats what Suzie said too, so we took her to Bialetti where she was super excited to find an Italian espresso maker in her favorite color.
I wonder what Antony is thinking about?
At the end of the forum is the Capitoline Hill, which is a collection of rather magnificent buildings, through which you catch occasional glimpses of the forum. Its well worth a visit, and was a lovely end to our trip.
One last highlight to mention - the Campidoglio. This square was designed by Michelangelo. He had to reconcile 2 ancient buildings set at odd angles to each other into a harmonious design. Also, the space is not really square, or rectangle. It's a trapezoid, so there was a fair bit of design wizardry involved to get it looking nice. The result is fabulous, and you should take the time to look at it from above on google maps.
