Rome - day 3 - part 1

Tuesday 8/5/08
Once again we walked over to the Flann O'Brien Pub for breakfast, but this time we went all out and spent the extra two euros for a hardier breakfast. I got an omelet. By the way, I must whole-heartedly apologize for making an extremely embarassing error on my previous postings. We did not stay in the Flann O'Bryan Rooms, as previously posted, but the Flann O'Brien Rooms as stated above. I have reprimanded myself severely. Feel free to do the same.

Our first objective of the day was to go to the Capitoline Museum, located in the Piazza del Compidoglio on the Capitoline Hill (one of the seven hills of Rome). Actually, we went to one of three museum buildings on the Capitoline Hill called the Palazzo Nuovo. Sarah had never been there before (neither had I) and there are some important ancient works of art there, so it was one of the things that we most wanted to see. Since there are so many wonderful things there, this visit will be stretched out over a couple of postings.

Above, Sarah can be seen checking out the fountain of Marforio and its giant inhabitant.

Here we can see the world's only surviving Roman era glass elevator.

This is the very famous Dying Gaul, a Roman copy of the 3rd century BC Greek work.

There was a party going on in this room.

This is the Hall of Philosophers.

And these busts are from the Hall of Emperors.

This is Marcus Aurelius (emperor 161-180). He was the last of the "Five Good Emperors" and is commemorated by an equestrian statue in the center of the Piazza Compedoglio.

Commodus (emperor 180-192) was the son of Marcus Aurelius. He was also made famous recently in the movie Gladiator. His reign is seen by some as the beginning of the decline of the Roman Empire.

This is the Capitoline Venus.

This is the American Sarah.

The Capitoline Hill overlooks the Forum and the museum has a patio with some great views. Above is the Arch of Septimus Severus which was built to commemorate Emperor Septimus Severus's victories over the Parthians at the end of the second century.

On the right is part of the Temple of Saturn. It is the oldest surviving structure in the area (which is where the oldest structures in Rome reside), having been built between 501 and 498 BC. On the left is all that remains of the Temple of Vespasian and Titus.

To the left of the temples is the Basilica Julia, or at least the bottoms of columns that remain. It was named for and begun by Julius Caesar in 46 BC. It was reconstructed a few times after fires. At first it was a public space for meetings, then later had courts and shops.

The Capitoline Museum will continue...