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Hmm...went downtown today. Ended up taking about 400 pictures. Once the sun came out, it really came out. We sat around on the second level of the Flavian Amphitheatre (aka. The Colosseum) and put sunblock on and people gave us funny looks as Darren started re-enacting scenes from Gladiator for the video camera. A really cool guy gave about 30 of us a tour of the place, it was really good. He used to be an archaeologist and had an awesome knowledge of ancient architecture. While he was giving us an introduction outside, he had his partner get tickets for everyone, so we didn't have to wait in the huge line. He also cleared up a few misconceptions about combat in the arena that most people have because of movies.
After the tour of the Amphitheatre, we went for some pasta and beer and then wandered around the Forum and Palatine Hill.
Anyways, if I went into detail I could probably sit here and type for hours, so I'll just post some more pictures instead:
Il Vittoriano - The monument of Victor Emmanuel II
Fountain in front of Il Vittoriano
Ruins by the Capitoline Hill
A view of the Colosseum
Darren hugging a Gladiator
Inside the Colosseum
The Arch of Constantine. You can see the circular framework of the Meta Sudans, an ancient fountain where the gladiators would drink. Unfortunatly, Mussolini tore down the fountain in order to build a road through it. All that remains today is the foundations of the fountain.
Darren sitting at the Colosseum Bar, where we had lunch.
The ruins of the Roman Forum.
Me standing in front of the Ruins of the Forum.
Another shot of the forum.
Darren walking in the gardens of Palatine Hill.
The Ruins of Paletine Hill, where Rome was founded. The english word for "palace" originated from the latin word "palatium".
View of Rome from Palatine Hill.
View of St. Peter's Basillica from Palatine Hill.
More palaces on Palatine Hill.
Altar to an Unknown God.
Darren under a palace arch on Palatine Hill.
Me sitting on the edge of a palace courtyard on Palatine hill, overlooking a nice section of Rome.
The Temple of Venus at the Forum.
The columns of the Temple of Venus and the Colosseum.
View of the Colosseum.