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Guided by Dr. Paul Gwynne, my Layers of Rome class took a tour of the Roman Forum and the Flavian Amphitheater, more commonly known as the Coloseum. Rome had a number of forums but none larger than the Roman Forum. Here, all sorts of activities took place. In addition to markets and butcher shops, the area contains a number of temples and monuments.

It also contains three basillicas. To ancient Romans, the word basillica meant “Hall of the King” and functioned as a large hall or meeting place. Here trials and other important meetings took place. Nearly all the buildings in the area were once covered in marble. The rise of Christianity, however, destroyed the facades. In order to build all of the marble churches in the surrounding lands, the marble from the ancient buildings had to be taken down. St. Peter’s Basillica was built with marble partially from the Forum.

Next to the Forum is the Coloseum. Estimated to hold 50,000 people at it’s height, the building is massive. It was built after the sacking of Jerusalem over a lake sitting on the palatial grounds of Nero, a former emperor. The initial gladiatorial games took place over sixty days and included both land and sea reenactments. During this time multiple thousands of gladiators and animals were killed. After having seen both of these monuments in 2002, it was wonderful to be back and experience them as a more appreciative person.