We spent our first afternoon in Rome taking a 3-hour tour of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. The tour was really informative but also really long. We stood outside the Colosseum talking about it for about a half-hour before actually walking in. Everyone was antsy to just get in and see it... which we finally did. It's pretty amazing. The Colosseum, a largely Roman structure with Greek influences, was built back in A.D. 80 and served as an arena for gladiator contests.
The giant amphitheater could fit 50,000 spectators.
Animals that the gladiators were meant to fight were kept below the floor.
Across the way stands the Arch of Constantine. The arch honors Constantine's defeat of Maxentius and marks Constantine's ending the persecution of Christians.
Farther down the road are the Roman Forum (considered the birthplace of ancient Rome) and Palatine Hill. The area is filled with ruins and remnants of what once was.
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| Arch of Septimius Severus |
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| Temple of Vesta |
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| Temple of Castor and Pollux |
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| Palace remnants |
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| Olives |
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| The Stadium |
Next up: Day 10 -- Rome (Evening)