 The Eternal City: Photos 42 to 51 |
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Rome's history spans over two and half thousand years, starting as a small Italian village to the centre of a vast empire to the capital of today's Italy. Rome was founded as a small village sometime in the 8th century BC surrounding Palatine Hill. The small settlement developed into the capital of the Roman Kingdom before becoming the seat of the Roman Republic at around 500 BC, and then the centre of the Roman Empire from 27 BC. For almost 1,000 years, Rome was the largest, wealthiest and most powerful city in the Western World with dominance over most of Europe.
Today, Rome reflects the many periods of its long history - Ancient times, Middle Ages and the Renaissance. There are so many sights to see in Rome that it is difficult to know where to start, however there are a few attractions that should not be missed, some of which are listed below.
The Colosseum
The gigantic oval of the Colosseum is a must see - 186m long, 153m wide and some 50m high. Emperor Vespasian began construction in AD72 and work was completed eight years later. It was the scene for gladiator fights that one can hardly
Full Text Entry: The Eternal City
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Trajan's Column
Trajan's Column was Rome raised in honour of the Roman emperor at the order of the Roman Senate.
Trajan's Column
Completed in 113, the freestanding column is most famous for its spiral bas relief, which commemorates Trajan's victory in the Dacian Wars. A 190m frieze winds around the shaft 23 times.
Trajan's Column
The relief portrays Trajan's two victorious military campaigns against the Dacians. The carvings are crowded with sailors, soldiers, statesmen and priests, showing about 2,500 figures in total and pro... [more]
Piazza del Popolo
The piazza is defined by the twin churches of Santa Maria in Montesanto and Santa Maria dei Miracoli. An Egyptian obelisk of Ramesses II stands in the centre of the piazza.
Castel Sant'Angelo
Castel Sant'Angelo from the bridge. The angel statue on the top depicts the angel from whom the building derives its name.
Triton Fountain, Piazza Barberini
The fountain was built in 1642 by - yes, Bernini. The muscular Triton is a sea god of ancient Greco-Roman legend.
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