Places Near Us- Rome

Rome is 2 hours from our house by train or car. For most people, their trip to Italy starts with Rome, and for good reason. Rome is the start of democracy and the proof of early Christianity. The Roman Coliseum is a “must do” for anyone arriving in Rome.

The Colosseum

It was built with the treasures looted from the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem by Emperor Vespasian (the Flavian Ampitheatre) in 72 CE.  According to a reconstructed inscription found on the site of the Coliseum, “the emperor Vespasian ordered this new amphitheatre to be erected from his general’s share of the booty.” 1,100,000 Jews and proselytes died in the siege, the majority from starvation and pestilence, and another 97,000 were taken prisoner. 

The Colosseum

As prisoners of Rome they contributed to the construction of the Coliseum through forced labor. The slaves undertook manual labor such as working in the quarries at Tivoli where the travertine was quarried, along with lifting and transporting the quarried stones 20 miles from Tivoli to Rome, this sport stadium had the capacity for 55,000 spectators. How much better it would have been for the first century christians if they would have headed Jesus warning at Luke 21:20-24 to flee to the mountains. They could have avoided this future of hard labor and deprivation.

Roman Forum

Just outside of the Coliseum you will find the Roman Forum which was basically Rome’s seat of government in the time of the Ceasars. We know Paul must have been detained as a prisoner here while he awaited his meeting with Ceasar Nero. This is also near the site of Julius Ceasars  assignations at Largo di Torre Argentina. Caligula also was assassinated here in the Roman forum. Being Ceasar was risky business. 

The Roman Forum

Via Sacra

Down the center of the Roman Forum is the Via Sacre the route General Titus took along with his Jewish prisoners and loot from the sacking of Jerusalem. He made a Triumphal procession down the Via Sacra on returning home after looting Jerusalem

Via Sacra

Arch of Titus

As you wander through the ancient ruins of the Roman Forum you will find many monuments that confirm the accuracy of the Bible record. One such monument is the Arch of Titus. Here on the inner arch you will find bas relief carvings depicting the first century looting of Jerusalem as was witnessed by first century Jewish historian Josephus. These carvings show the Triumphant Roman armies carrying the wealth of the temple such as menorah (candle lampstands) mad table of the show bread.

Arch of Titus

The Temple Of Saturn

One of my favorite things to gaze on in the Roman Forum is in fact the oldest building in the forum. It was dedicated in 497 BCE and was the site that Saturnalia was inaugurated each year. The iconic front porch is the only thing that remains and you can always recognize it’s tall pillars. It is always shocking to me that this piece of Roman history so blatantly shows how the pagan worship of the Ceasars impacted Christianity. Always celebrated on December 25, the ancient Ceasars worshipped the return of the sun during the festival of Saturnalia. Jesus had prophesied that the weeds would be sown in among the wheat.

The temple of Saturn

After walking the Roman Forum and the Coliseum we are usually Physically and mentally exhausted with nothing more to give. All that is left is to sit in a little cafe and enjoy a meal with wine. Some typical dishes of Rome that shouldn’t be missed are Pasta Carbonara (pasta in a sauce made with egg, pecorino cheese (similiar to parmesan but made of sheep cheese) and Procuitto (similar to bacon). I also love Caccio e Pepe which is also a Roman specialty, it is a pasta made with pecorino cheese and cracked black pepper.

Pasta Carbonara
Pasta Carbonara

Roman Style pizza is a very thin crust pizza but unlike the soft chewy crust of the Napoleatan Style pizza, Roman crust is crispy like a cracker. Also to be enjoyed is Roman Style artichokes and Porchetta which is roasted pork with rosemary and a crispy skin. If you venture into the Jewish quarter of Rome you can try Jewish Artichokes that are deep fried and delicious. Of course the gelato is always delicious!

PIZZA!
PIZZA!

If you have additional days in Rome you can visit Villa Borghese, a museum in a beautiful villa set in the middle of a park. The Villa itself is worth the visit but you will also find works of art from Michelangelo, Caravaggio and Bernini, the famous painters and sculptors of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Villa Borghese is in the middle of a large park in the center of Rome, complete with a Laghetto, or small man-made lake. I personally love to rent the little canoe’s there for €3 and take a romantic little paddle around the lake.

Villa Borghese

On every tourist check list the Trevi fountain, the Spanish steps, the Jewish Ghetto and the great strolling and dining neighborhood of Travestere. The Pantheon is also an interesting stop, it was formerly a pagan Roman Temple built commissioned during the reign of Augustus (20 CE) but dedicated in 126 CE but now is the site of a church. Go inside and look up at the dome for a free peek at one of the worlds oldest domes. Almost 2000 years after its construction and it is still one of the worlds largest unreinforced domes.

Trevi Fountain in Rome

The Vatican is also of interest with its Sistine chapel with the ceiling painted by Michelangelo of “The Creation Of Man”. For a more detailed “Bible Tour” of Rome check out my other article posted here.

After a view days in Rome you will be ready for a rest from history, cities, tourists and heat. Come on down to our house for a rest in the country among the olive trees and enjoy the small quaint towns, castles and beaches near us. You will feel refreshed to continue on your journey to Pompeii, Naples and the Amalf Coast. 

Country living in Itri

 

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