By Valerie Halla
No Gladiators there any more.
Rome is a city impossible to describe therefore you just get on a plane and go. And then say, “Arrivederci.” This photo doesn’t show the lower sections of the Coliseum and naturally your first impression nor your emotions of first seeing it cannot be communicated. It’s overwhelmingly moving. The Roman Coliseum is 1,953 years old.
The history, the architecture, the remnants of a lost empire are there. If you think the United States is old, guess again. Italy was home to the Roman Empire. Much of that historical time lives within modern buildings and communities right alongside ancient structures be they crumbling or partially standing or dug up by archaeological digs, the past is living even in 2025.
I walked along the Roman Highway listening on my Whisper device to a knowledgeable guide telling the story of Ancient Rome and its inhabitants.
All roads lead to Rome.
These boulders were placed thousands of years ago and provided a pathway, a highway for merchants, farmers, craftsmen, soldiers and others to travel freely between destinations including tours of today.
Romans also built incredible structures for taking water from one area to another.
An ancient palace dome still hanging onto life.
Can you see the Roman Numerals above the arched entrance marking the area where you would be seated for the games or events at the Coliseum?
Animals from around the world were brought here to fight one another or humans. This showed the Emperor had vast powers from all over the world and could afford to bring exotic animals to Rome.
The Pantheon is 1,900 years old and was covered in marble at one time. The columns came by ship from Egypt.
Is your front door as big as the Pantheon’s?
I truly understand the statement, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” It boggles the mind, the heart, the eyes and the energy level how this was all made and yet thousands of years later, it remains.
More later.
Those 70ish Girls 