Disclaimer: I’m inserting a bunch of “tourguide facts” and pictures about the structures, because it’s essentially impossible to explain the marvels of the monuments without seeing it yourself. I’m also trying out Google Pics instead of Flickr because it’s an easier interface to use, and I can put MORE pics on google - so let me know if you have problems.
OLD ROME - day 2 Pics:
The day started off with a visit to one of my favorite places of the trip: the Colosseum. I recall reading in textbooks during grade school
about Rome’s greatest amphitheater which was once housed deadly gladiatorial combats and animal fights; but to see it in person was absolutely unreal. The structure with its 80 archways allowing 55,000 spectators to enter and be seated in ten minutes doesn’t even compare to the modern day stadium. The complexity of the structure with its network of underground rooms holding the animals and the intricate system which brought cages up to the arena level is astonishing for having been designed so many centuries ago. One interesting thing for your own edification was that if a gladiator was badly wounded, he would surrender himself to the fate of the crowd and the emperor would either give a “thumbs up or down” indicating his salvation or death.
Anyway, after extensively exploring the colosseum and taking a bazillion pictures, we proceeded to take another 10,000 of the Arch of Constantine erected in AD 315 to celebrate Consantine’s victory over Maxentius. It’s interesting because most of the medallions, reliefs, and statues were scavaged from earlier monuments.
We entered the Forum from the back entrance through the Arch of Titus erected in AD 81 by Emperor Domitian to honor the victories of his brother Titus and father Vespasian. The relief shows Roman soldiers carrying off spoils from the Temp
le of Jerusalem.
The Temple of Venus & Rome created by the Emperor Hadrian to Venus for mothering Romulus and Remus. We could only get a good view from the Colosseum. One of the more remarkable features is the Colonnade , or tall columns that surround the Temple and create an amazing picture.
Santa Francesca Romana was created for Saint Francesca of Trastevere who cared for the poor in 15th century. It’s interesting because every year, numerous followers come outside and try to park their vehicles as close as possible to the church to obtain her blessings because she was also perceived as the “patron of motorists.”
Other structures to note are: Basilica of Constatine and Maxentius which was the largest building at one time with 
huge arches and ceilings. (no pictures) Temple of Romulus which is now the domed church
of Santi Comsa e Damiano. The Temple of Antonius and Faustina who’s entrance was converted into the church of San Lorenzo in Miranda.
One of my favorite remains was the Temple of Vesta which was the tiny temple of the goddess of hearth. It once consisted of a circular building around a ring of fire with 20 fine fluted columns belonging to the cult of Vestals, the oldest in Rome and centered on six vestal virgins. These virgins were the only women priests of Rome and were responsible to keep alight sacred flame of vesta. The girls were typically chosen from noble familes when 6-10yo and served for 30years during which they must remain virgins. If they let the flame blow out, they got whipped and if they lost their virginity, they were burned alive. After retiring, they could live as ordinary citizens but few married. Adjacent to the temple was the House of the Vestal Virgins where the priestesses lived but it was unfortunately under construction, and we were unable to see the remains.
The East end of the forum has many “noteworthy” remains. The Temple of Castor and Pollux 
(3 columns) was erected by the Roman dictator Postumius to the twin brothers for winning the battle of Lake Regillus against ousted Tarquin kings. The Temple of Julius Caesar was erected when Caesar was cremated by Augustus, but honestly consists of little more than a stone building and a dome under which he is buried (very anti-climactic). The Santi Luca e Martina is the early medieval church with the domed building that looms over the Arch of Septimus Severus. This was erected to celebrate 10th anniversary of
accession of Septimus Severus and to his sons. It’s interesting because once Septimius died, Caracalla murdered his brother Geta and had Geta’s name removed. Apparently you can see the holes where his names were pegged (though I couldn’t find it). It’ll give you something to do when looking at my pictures 
The Column of Phocas was one of the youngest of Forum’s monuments and honors the Byzantine emperor Phocas. The Temple of Saturn (8columns) was to the mythical god of Italy who presided over the Gold Age from which slavery, private property, crime and war absent. Every year, Saturn’s reign was remembered in a week of sacrifices and feasting in which the lower classes and slaved were honore
d!
Our next stop was Capitoline Hill with its famous Piazza Campidoglio. In hopes of giving the capital a face-lift, Michelangelo designed the geometric pavings and building facades of the Palazzo dei Conservatorio and 
Palazzo Senatorio. He also designed the Cordonata with the restored classical statues of Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux) at the top.
We then went to the Monumonto a Vittorio Emanuele - monument to Italy’s first king 
depicted in gilt bronze equestrian statue at the top. We unfortunately got kicked out of it for getting “too close” the statues (eek!) hehe, and were unable to get the views from the top of the monument
After another lunch of scrumptious pizza and our daily dose of gelato (Nutella flavor today, yesterday was some Chocolate concoction), we took the scenic route by the Colosseum again to get to Palatine Hill.
For those that don’t know (I didn’t), Romulus and Remus bought up here by a wolf in a cave and hence the hill has always been regarded as a sacred place. Many important people have lived on the hill including the great orator Cicero, lyric poet Catullus, Augustus born and lived here, and many of his successors w/extravagant palaces (Tiberius, Caligula, Domitian).
Our trip started on the Farnese Gardens which is one of the fist botanical gardnes ever built by Pope Paul III on the ruins of Tiberius’s palace. We then walked through the Temple of Cybele. The fertility cult was known for their annual festival when frenzied eunuch priests slashed their bodies in sacrifice and the annual ceremonial castration of novice priests. They believed if they sacrificed their own fertility, it would guarantee the fertility of the natural world.!!!
We then walked around the “anti-climactic” ruins of the remainder of the Palatine Hill which included the House of Livia, the Domus Flavia with it’s octagonal fountain, the Stadium which emperors used as private garden or for foot races, and the Palace of Septimus Severus. Many of the remains looked like structures and it was difficult to discern what each brick was - and hence we just enjoyed the scenic views and strolled through the remains.
Afterward, we ended our day by walking through S. Gregorio Magno and the Domus Aurea, followed by a scrumptious meal of canneloni, mushroom fettucini, and wine at a trattoria
