59. Monday at the Coloseum & Ancient City

Monday, first full day in Rome

I wanted to pick up where I last was at the coliseum and Ancient city

I woke up early in the expensive Best Western Inn and had the buffet

Scrambled eggs, I thought I was in heaven

So tired of pastries and bread unleavened.

I saw the tourist bus parked in front of the train station                                          

Bought a day pass so that I can get the jist of the situation.

My first stop was to the coliseum for a tour

For 12 euros, I would get the full history and more.

I met two sisters from New Jersey who were just robbed

We exchanged stories and after hearing mine they no longer sobbed.

The guided tour was amazing to learn the history, commissioned by Vespusian in 72 AD

It held over 55,000 spectators, according to rank they were seated.

Slaughter was on a huge scale,

In one year, over 9,000 wild animals were killed.

The Colosseum was built over Nero’s Colossus, why the amphitheatre was given its name.

Roman gladiators were actually soldier to be trained.

Their combat became a sport

And slaves, prisoners of war and criminals were forced

To fight to their death as the public cheered on.

The arena floor was a series of covered panels and trapped doors.

Employing over 12,000 stage handlers underneath the floors.

Wild animals would pop up from elevators below

As well as warriors or slaves that were sold.

There were internal corriders that housed the unruly crowd

With tiered terraces for the different classes found.

A valerium, which was a huge sailcloth awning, covered the crowd

By huge poles, tilted from the upper story shroud.

As the years went by, the building was plundered,

Using the stones and bricks to make churches by the hundred.

Leaving the Colosseum,  you must pass under the Arch of Contantine

Across the ancient Roman cobblestone to the Palantine.

This was once the home of emperors and aristocrats divine.

From the famous home of Augustus to the palace of Domitian.

In the house of Livia, wife of Augustus, frescos adorn the walls.

The House of the Vestal Virgins is where the priestess tended the sacred flame.

If they let it go out, they were beaten.

They were chosen at the age of ten and had to remain virgins for thirty years.

If not, they were buried alive, that was enough to create fear.

 I come across the grave that is said to be Cesare's

Now a heap of dirt with flowers and a plaque to remember

The ancient city of Rome is laid out so that you can still appreciate the layout of the city.

Over a million people lived here, amongst market places, bathing houses and plumbing fittings.

So much of our history is founded here, but much destroyed from the fire

And destruction from the Gothic raiders who pillaged the empire.

I leave with a respect for the culture that once was great by name,

 

And lean over a balcony to think that a woman 2,000 years ago did the same.