Rome At Its Best - Part 3 of 3

Our final stop in Rome was the Colosseum. If we saw nothing else, this was worth the trip.


I'll just go ahead and say it now, "THIS PLACE WAS HUGE!" Click on the picture below and you will see an archway just above my head. There are people standing just above the archway. That will give you an idea of how far away they were. (In this picture, you can also see how gray my hair is turning.)


Les and I have both read historical accounts about the Colosseum, I'm sure you have too. Francine River's "A Voice in the Wind" is one of the best fictional accounts I've read. Gladiator contests, animal hunts, and the execution of Christians took place here.


Its construction started in 72 AD under the emperor Vespasian and was completed in 80 AD under Titus. It was capable of seating 50,000 spectators.


Severe damage was inflicted on the Colosseum by the great earthquake in 1349, causing the outer south side, lying on a less stable alluvional terrain, to collapse. Much of the tumbled stone was reused to build palaces, churches, hospitals and other buildings elsewhere in Rome.


Just a little side note - I bought the bag you see slung over my shoulder while in Rome. Les bought a cap and a belt, plus we had water bottles, my purse and two cameras. I needed it! It's purple (my favorite color) and says ROMA all over with ITALIA in the center.


The arena itself was 83 meters by 48 meters (272 ft by 157 ft / 280 by 163 Roman feet). It comprised a wooden floor covered by sand (the Latin word for sand is harena or arena), covering an elaborate underground structure called the hypogeum (literally meaning "underground").


Little now remains of the original arena floor, but the hypogeum is still clearly visible. It consisted of a two-level subterranean network of tunnels and cages beneath the arena where gladiators and animals were held before contests began.



There were 80 entrances. This is entrance #53 (LIII)


And since it WAS our anniversary, it was fitting to steal a colossal kiss or two!


We were a tired but elated couple as we made our way back to the ship. Even now, three weeks later, it's hard to believe we were in that amazing city. What a great day! Just needed a few more days there...

Unfortunately, as the Magic pulled away from Civitavecchia at 10:00 that night, two passengers were not on board. They didn't make it back to the ship in time and were left behind! I never heard what happened to them. And while we would have loved more time in Rome, getting left behind was not how we wanted to make it happen.