Colosseum, Rome, Italy

 

The construction of the Colosseum started around 70-72, under the rule of Vespasian. In 64 AD, by the Great Fire of Rome. Nero took the area for his personal domain and built the Domus Aurea, with an artificial lake, gardens and pavilions. A complex system of aqueducts was developed there, to supply water to the area. He than placed a monumental bronze statue - Colossus of Nero.

The Colossus was preserved under Vespasisan and his successors, but the Domus Aurea was destroyed. The place became the location for the new Flavian Amphitheatre constructed as a triumphal monument, celebrating great victories.

Vespasian wanted to give the area to public use, in contrast with Nero, who used it for his personal interest. The amphitheatre was build in the middle of the city and not somewhere on the suburbs, as many other amphitheatres were located. This was a symbol for the amphitheatre’s importance.

Roman Forum

The Forum was the marketplace of Rome and also the business district and civic center. It was expanded to include temples, a senate house and law courts. 

The Forum Romanum is located in a valley between the Capitoline Hill on the west, the Palatine Hill on the south, the Velia on the east and Quirinal Hill and the Esquiline Hill to the north. The Velia was levelled in Antiquity.

This is definitely one of the destinations I plan to visit during my trip to italy in September. I'm excited to learn more about Rome's history and wander the city. some other landmarks I plan to see: the Vatican, Colosseum, Pantheon and more!

What an artist the world is losing in me!

Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus 
54 - 68 AD
The story of Nero coming into power begins with the reign of Claudius (41-54). After the death of his second wife, Claudius married his niece, widow,  Agrippina, who had Nero from her previous husband.
Once married to Claudius, she induced him to adopt her son.

Agrippina was determined to see her son Nero become Emperor and successfully plotted to make her son Nero Claudius' heir in place of his own son Britannicus (son of Claudius by his second wife).

Nero gained precedence over Claudius' son, Britannicus, and married Claudius's daughter Octavia in 52 AD. Claudius died suddenly in 54 AD, possibly by poison administered by Agrippina. And Nero was proclaimed emperor by the senate. Britannicus died of poisoning in 55.

 

At first, Nero ran wisely and gained the respect of the Roman people. he promoted the arts and often performed in public. The first five years of Nero's reign were peaceful. He followed his strong artistic and amorous inclinations, and his two advisers ran the government, but later became increasingly cruel and unpopular and became a byword for decadence and corruption. 

His mother's efforts to rule continued until Nero had her killed in 59 AD.

The great fire of Rome in 64 was attributed by some ancient writers to Nero himself, though there was no proof of his guilt. He rebuilt the city on an improved plan and with greater magnificence. To meet the increasing costs of government, he taxed the provinces heavily. Seeking to divert suspicion from himself, the emperor charged the Christians with arson and executed many of them. According to tradition, St Peter and St Paul were among the victims of this first Roman persecution of Christians.

 

Although opposition to him continued to grow, Nero, went to Greece , to participate in various festivals and games. He was obliged to return hurriedly to Rome on hearing of rebellion in Gaul by Gaius Julius Vindex, governor of Gallia Lugdunensis. And also of Galba in Spain secured wide support, including that of the Praetorians.

Finally, the army rebelled, Galba was proclaimed emperor and the Roman Senate proclaimed Nero a public enemy, and Nero committed suicide.

I found Rome a city of wood and left her a city of marble.

 Gaius Julius Caesar Octavian, first emperor of Rome

27 BC - 14 AD

The heir to Julius Caesar's Rome. Augustus was the Caesar's great nephew and adopted son. After his murder, he fought to avenge his uncle and forced his way into the Senate.

In 27 BC, the Roman Senate granted Octavian the name, Augustus, meaning 'the exalted'. They also gave him legal power to rule Rome's religious, civil and military affairs with the Senate as an advisory body, effectively making him Emperor.

Rome achieved great glory under Augustus. He restored peace after 100 years of civil war; and maintained honest government. Augustus was also a firm believer that the empire was as large it could possibly be for it to be governed justly, and so had no real ambitions of conquest. He believed that his job was to unify all the different societies into one that was loyal to only Rome

  

Augustus also had an extensive building program which helped to beautify Rome. Some of his more well known building projects were the construction of the Forum of Augustus, the Mausoleum of Augustus, the Theater of Marcellus and the baths of Agrippa. Also, he rebuilt many roads and temples.Augustus was dedicated to the beautification of Rome

He had reigned for an astounding forty years and when he died Rome was at the height of its prosperity. Augustus ushered in a time of peace in the Roman Empire called the Pax Romana( or Roman Peace)

The people of the Roman Empire worshiped Augustus as a God.

Caesar dictates when the sun rises and when it sets

Julius Caesar 102 – 44 B.C

The revolution of Rome begins with the tale of this great historical figure. His power, dominance and persuasion lead to the death of a republic, and the birth of an Empire. I am talking about Julius Caesar, dictator of the Roman Empire. 

As a young man, he rose through the ranks and gained power through the first Triumvirate, which included himself, Crassus, the richest man in Rome and Pompey, a famous military leader. Caesar was cunning. He convinced them to work with him to win the election and control of the Senate. He was really the third man, as he had no money or position, but there was something special about him. He had a special glow and the charisma that nobody else had. As a sign of good faith, Caesar gave Pompey his only daughter, Julia’s hand in marriage.

With Crassus and Pompey’s influence in the political world, Caesar won the election for Consul.

Caesar knew that military victories were what really mattered, so he headed north for glory and gold. He was a brilliant speaker, he could relate to people and he could make you do whatever he wanted you to do by giving a speech. His army loved him for this. Not only was he a great motivator, but he knew how to put the men of his army in a position where he knew they would succeed. He shared their toils and danger and stood amongst them in battle.

All of Caesar’s glory and fame was making the conservatives in the Senate nervous and they knew the real danger was in Julius Caesar. They were willing to do anything to stop him. 

After Crassus was killed and Pompey’s wife Julia died while giving birth, there was nothing to tie Caesar and him together. The triumvirate was over and they were now enemies. The conservatives named Pompey the soul consul whose only task was to stop Caesar, but he feared his army, who were loyal to him.

After 10 years of conquer and glory, Caesar had taken the Roman Empire away from the Mediterranean world and was ready to go back to Rome to be recognized as the leading man. His enemies feared and hated him because he had put them in the shadows. At this point, his army’s belief in hin was unshakable and their dedication to him was absolute. Pompey had now gathered an army two times larger than Caesar’s in numbers, but Caesar’s men were confident and they knew they would succeed. Pompey was able to escape and Caesar followed him into Greece. Eventually, Pompey was tricked, killed and beheaded.

Caesar had now gained the power he had craved his whole life and became dictator of all of Rome. He isolated himself, refusing to share power with the lesser nobles.

Marcus Brutus, a protégé of Caesar grew increasingly resentful of him, he did not want to be second to Caesar. The conservatives saw this as an opportunity to convince Brutus to betray him.

Not long after, Caesar was stabbed 23 times and killed. The city loved Caesar and the empire was overrun with violence and rioting for a long time to come.