Our day started with a tour of the Colosseum that included access to the ‘underground’ areas that was originally under the arena floor.
It was fascinating and interesting and you could feel the history seeping out of the stones.
The tour ended across the way in the Roman Forum. From on top of the Palentine Hill, looking down, you could really appreciate the archeological lasagna that is Rome.
The bakery in front of our balcony window starts very early with the most wonderful smells drafting up.
Welcome to the Vittoriano, also known as the Altar of the Fatherland. The Monument to king Victor Emmanuel II was built starting in 1885, designed by Giuseppe Sacconi, and inaugurated in 1911 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Unification of Italy.
The monument was used for presenting animal hunts, gladiatorial fights and death sentences. It was built in the place of the artificial lake of Nero’s Domus Aurea by the three emperors of the Flavian dynasty: Vespasian, Titus and Domitian. Construction began in 71 AD and was financed with the spoils from the Jewish War of 70. The building was solemnly inaugurated in 80 by Titus, completed by Domitian and restored several times until the 5th century. Known originally as Amphitheatrum magnum or Caesareum, in the Early Middle Ages it was given the name of Colysaeum, probably because it was close to the statue of the Colossus erected by Nero.
The main hallway the gladiators used to get from their ‘school’ to underneath the arena floor. We are on the way to see a recreation of one of the elevators that was used to get everything to the arena floor.
Mosaic with hunting scene (venatio) and inscription ex vicen(alibus) f(e) (iciter) vell, refers to the celebration of the 20″ year of reign of Emperor Antoninus Pius (158 AD). The symbol of defeat, the THETA NIGRUM, refers to the death of the animal; the V, read as vicit, to the victorious hunter; VELI, which is difficult to complete, is perhaps an abbreviation of the name of the hunter.
During the long days dedicated to spectacles in the amphitheatres, not only gladiator fights took place: hurting scenes or venationes were also popular.
This is the case of the mosaic on display. It depicts two figures with long hair and short robes facing a wild animal: for a long time it was debated whether they were women or men. The current interpretation prefers to identify them as men.
The presence of women in the arenas, as gladiators or hunters, is however testified by literary sources and archaeological documentation.
Often the emperors themselves organised shows with women: because of their rarity, it made the performances more interesting.
From Rome, Castra Praetoria – 2nd century AD
Seat from the Colosseum bleachers (cavea) bearing graffiti depicting a fight between a Retiarius and a Secutor.
Underneath the arena floor it was dark, cramped, and smelly from all the people and animals.
