Just When You Thought.......

Just when you thought I couldn't POSSIBLY have anything more to blog about in Rome, here is one more post!  I wanted to post a quick one with pictures of the major historic sites, which really were amazing.

This is us at the base of the Arch of Titus with the Roman Forum in the immediate background.

A full view of the Arch of Titus ~ In the 4th century AD,  there were 36 triumphal arches in Rome ~ only 3 remain standing ~ this is one of them.  

There are public drinking fountains all over Rome.  While we saw most people filling water bottles from them, our guide, Christina, showed us that Romans drink from them by covering up the bottom opening and drinking from a smaller hole farther up where the water then shoots out.  The boys got alot of wet shirts trying to be "authentic", but they didn't mind.  Chris said, "Mom, when in Rome......." :)

Here I go with columns again, but I just can't help myself!  I love them.  These are from the Roman Forum. (They are "Corinthian columns", in case you were wondering.) :)

We thought the Roman Forum was fascinating.  You get to go right on in and walk around and get close to everything.  It felt like being in another world ~ I guess it kind of WAS.

This is one of the other remaining arches ~ the Arch of Constantine, which is right next to the Colosseum.  Constantine was the Roman Emperor who legalized Christianity in 312 AD ~ THANK YOU Constantine!!

Just a nice little family photo in the Colosseum! :)

The Colosseum was originally called the Flavian Amphitheater, but was later nicknamed "the Colosseum" because of a "colossal statue" of Emperor Nero (100 feet tall) that stood outside it.  The floor of the colosseum is gone but you can see the area underneath where gladiators and animals were housed as games were going on.

Who would have thought that in 80 AD there would be numbered and labeled entrances to show people how to get to their seats more efficiently!

It is kind of strange to see these ancient buildings in amongst all the modern conveniences.

This is the Pantheon, an ancient Roman temple later turned church.  It is the only ancient building of Rome that was used continuously since its construction.  It was the biggest dome in Europe until the Renaissance, when it inspired architects like Michelangelo (St. Peter's) and Brunelleschi (the Duomo in Florence) to build bigger ones.  See...I TOLD you I was learning something. :)

There is an opening in the top of the dome ~ it was a dry day when we were there, but they say it is so high that when it rains, the rain does not reach the floor, turning to mist before reaching it.

Another family photo taken for us by some nice people from Georgia.

This is the famous Trevi Fountain.  The custom is to throw a coin over your shoulder into the fountain to ensure a return trip to Rome.  The coins tourists throw into the fountain are used to help the poor of Rome.  Looks like Ben and Chris will come back to Rome!

Trevi Fountain

There are statues everywhere...this was just a random statue on a building we were passing.  They are all very beautiful.  After seeing so many amazing sculptures, we (okay, it's really just me) are really looking forward to studying sculpture this next school year.  I want to learn how they do this stuff!!!

Check out the size of these columns in a church we stopped into as we were passing by.

In this same church, the ceiling was designed by Michelangelo.  

OK, I think I am officially done with Rome.  Not sure what I will post about next, as our Italian portion of our adventure is just about over.  We fly to London tomorrow for two weeks before heading home.  We have truly enjoyed our time in this wonderful country.  We have learned SO much and are grateful.

Ciao!