Traveler Explores the Roman Forum

First off this morning, we stopped by The Circus Maximus which is located between the Aventine and the Palatine Hills in Rome. This was the HUGE arena where the Romans watched and bet on chariot Races.

Remember the movie, Ben Hur? This is where they would have raced. The Circus Maximus could seat more than 270,000 people!

Behind are the remains of Emperor Domitian's palace.

Next, we explored the Roman Forum. This was originally a a marshy area between the Palatine and the Capitaline Hills of Rome which was drained in the 7th century B.C.

The Forum became the business center of Rome, like a City Center would be today. It was filled with temples to the Gods, as well as business buildings, including the Senate.

This is the Arch of Titus which was built in 70 A.D. It was built to commemorate the sacking of Jeruselum in that year. It has become a symbol of anti-semitism and you are actually allowed to spit on the arch as you pass it! This is the Temple of Ceasar which was built on the spot where Julius Ceasar's body was cremated after his assasination. It was constructed in 42 B.C. by Ceasar's heir Octavian who later became known as Augustus.

This shrine is where Ceasar's body laid. Flowers and offerings are still left in his memory...

These are the remaining pillars from the Temple of Castor and Pollux. They are also known as the Gemini Twins and are actually the Gods of Horsemanship. I think the girls would have worshipped here in the old days...

Here is the Temple of Vesta. The Vestel Virgins (the highest Roman Priestesses) watched over the sacred flame in this temple.

This is the House of the Vestel Virgins. It must have been beautiful and you can still see the three sacred pools...

The floor of the Senate building, which was known as the Curia. It was built in 44 B.C. by Julius Ceasar. In the 7th Century, it was turned into a church, which saved it from ruin.

Some remains of the marble which would have covered the walls.

The Temple of Saturn, whose remaining Portico is the oldest structure in the area dating from between 498-501 B.C.

The Rostra, which was the public speaking platform. "Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears..."

My favorite spot, the Umbilicus Urbi. This was the site from which all distances were measured from Rome. Rome was considered the center of the world and this place was the center of Rome.

Sally, who must have been delusional from all she had seen in the Forum, dropped me onto the cobbled street. Then, instead of picking me right up, she actually took a picture of me in this most embaressing position! I am keeping tabs on Sally and her treatment of me...

On our way out of the Forum, we stopped in the Mamertine Prison. This scary place was first constructed around 640 B.C. and is said to be the place where Saint Peter and Saint Paul were held before they were crucified. Here is a small alter on the top floor.

Then we went down below to where the prisioners were held. The prison was used for high ranking prisioners, like kings of vanquished countries. After being paraded through the streets of ancient Rome, they were held here until they were strangled in the cell and their bodies thrown into the sewer underneath the prison. What a horrible place this was...