Italy is one of the most beautiful countries we’ve had the pleasure to visit. It’s capital, Rome, is a vibrant city full of pristine art and architecture, with a proud legacy and eventful history. We both have a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Ancient Civilizations in the Humanities, but we each specialized in different areas: one focus was on Ancient Greece, while the other was on Ancient Rome. Because of this, having the opportunity to finally come to this incredible city after studying it for so many years was a dream come true.
Rome has a long and rich history. The Roman Empire dominated the Mediterranean, as well as other parts of Europe, from 27 BC to 1453 AD. It’s considered one of the most important influencers of Western civilization. Caesar Augustus was the first, and most famous, emperor of Ancient Rome. He was the adopted son of Julius Caesar and effectively ended all civil wars by achieving victory over Cleopatra and Mark Anthony in 31 BC. With the Annexation of Egypt, the Senate formally endorsed Caesar Augustus and gave him undeniable power. This monumental event solidified Rome’s glorious place in the world for about 1,500 years. Over time, Caesar Augustus and his successors were able to expand the empire’s borders to most of the known world. Augustus is important for not only starting a period of peace (the Pax Romana) that lasted for over two hundred years, but for turning Rome into the most beautiful cultural center in ancient times. He once boasted, “I found Rome a city of bricks and left it a city of marble.” Because of this, Rome became known as “The Eternal City.”
For anyone traveling to Rome, make sure to give yourself plenty of time to see everything. We only stayed a week, but we wish we could have stayed longer. During our time in this magical metropolis, we saw the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, as well as the Mausoleum of Augustus and the Pantheon. We enjoyed listening to a local man play the guitar in the lovely Piazza Navona. We strolled around the Ancient Roman Baths and gazed upon the Ara Pacis, a Roman altar dedicated to Pax, the goddess of Peace. We marveled at the glorious Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the beauty of the Sistine Chapel. We enjoyed many museums like the one on Capitoline Hill which proudly displays The Dying Gaul statue. We also experienced the wonder of the Colosseum, in addition to the Roman Forum, the Arch of Constantine, Palatine Hill with Trajan’s Forum, and so much more.
Because of our focus in college, we studied Latin and, since all of the Romantic Languages have roots in Latin, we were able to decipher Italian to a point. But even knowing only part of the language, one thing is for sure, hearing a local speak fluent Italian is a fascinating experience in and of itself.
The Italians pride themselves on many things, but none more so than the authenticity of their cuisine. We found this to be a very true statement as we enjoyed some of their most famous dishes, all of which were absolutely delicious. Italian food can be traced as far back as the 4th century BC and has roots similar to the Etruscans and Greeks. Besides the obvious pizza choices, we also tasted Fettuccine Alfredo and Lasagna made from decades old recipes. These main entrees were usually paired with a light salad like Insalata Caprese and a glass of wine. We loved it all and, if you get a chance to visit Italy, we highly recommend trying a variety of different meals.
Of the many wonderful attractions to see in Rome, we were most impressed by the Vatican, which is a site like no other in the world. Considered an independent state, it is home to the Pope and the Catholic faith. As such, any visitors are subject to its laws and code of conduct once they cross into its borders. The Vatican is vast, and has many cultural and religious aspects, such as the famous Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Vatican Museums.
The Vatican is one of the most popular places to visit in Rome, so it makes sense that there was a line of people wrapped around its circumference waiting to get in. Since we were prepared for the crowds, we arrived early in the morning and had the opportunity to skip the line with the special tickets we had purchased the week before. Once inside, we were efficiently ushered by the Vatican Guard towards the Main Hall, which is decorated in gold and intricate designs. This is where we began an informal type of walking tour. What’s interesting is that we were never allowed to linger in any particular area for too long before one of the guards moved us along. In this way, we were able to see the many museums displaying some of the most famous works of art from around the world, as well as the lush and well maintained gardens. Eventually, the tour came to a conclusion at the majestic Sistine Chapel.
Unfortunately, photography is not allowed within the Sistine Chapel and so we had to be content to soak in as much of the amazing ambiance as we could in the short amount of time we were allowed to be there. The Sistine Chapel was created by more than a few prominent painters like Michelangelo and Botticelli during the Renaissance. It has several frescos of the Holy Scriptures adorning the walls and ceiling. One of the most well known images is a scene on the ceiling depicting the Creation of Adam. It’s composed with such skill that we felt as if we could be looking at the real thing. It truly is a sight to behold.
Another impressive attraction in Rome is the Colosseum. Also known as the Flavian Amphitheater, the Colosseum was built of brick and concrete and was the largest amphitheater created at the time. When it was first constructed, it could hold up to 80,000 spectators! It was used for gladiator contests, animal hunts, capital punishments, dramatic plays based on Roman mythology, as well as enactments of famous battles. The ancient Romans were even able to stage sea battles called naumachia. Over time the Colosseum has been damaged by earthquakes, fires, and stone-robbers who used the materials on other buildings. Yet, despite this, it’s still an astounding architectural triumph and left us completely awestruck.
Italy is a rich and cultured country, and Rome stands as its masterpiece. We had such a wonderful time in this city that we will absolutely return one day in the future.
We desired to see more of this vibrant land and so, after our exploration of Rome, we journeyed to the lovely cities of Florence and Venice. The combination of all three of these majestic cities left a lasting and unforgettable impression and we’re so glad we had the opportunity to experience this powerfully dynamic country! 😀
For additional photos, please see:
– Italy 2018/2019: Rome
– Italy 2019: The Vatican
– Italy 2019: Naples
– Italy 2019: Pompeii
For more information about this country, please see our other articles:
– Italy 2018/2019: Rome – Part 1
– Italy 2018/2019: Rome – Part 2
– Italy 2019: Naples & Pompeii