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| The location where Caesar's ashes used to be |
In this Italy blog, since we've already identified a couple of structures in ancient Rome, we'll just highlight a few here. We could spend 10 blogs about the rest of the different buildings and what they mean, but it would likely make your head spin, and it's much more interesting when you're walking through them! So, today we'll check into Caesar's resting place and look at a few other spots in ancient Rome.
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| Temple of Caesar by model maker, Lasha Tskhondia |
CAESAR'S BURIAL PLACE-All that's left of this burial place and temple is a small pile of rubble where Julius Caesar's ashes were supposed to have been buried. The Temple of Caesar or Temple of Divus Iulius,
also known as Temple of the Deified Julius Caesar, or
Temple of the Comet Star, is an ancient structure in the Roman Forum of Rome.
WHAT IS THE "CIRCUS MAXIMUS"? -
The Circus Maximus was a chariot racetrack in Rome first constructed in the 6th century BCE. The Circus
was also used for other public events such as the Roman Games and
gladiator fights and was last used for chariot races in the 6th century
CE (Common Era) or A.D.
CREATED BY- Tarquinius Priscus, the fifth king of Rome, created a track between the
Palatine and
Aventine hills.
MANY REBUILDS- There was a fire in 31 CE (AD) that burned the wooden structure. It was rebuilt and burned down again in 64 CE (AD) when Nero was emperor (and Rome burned). After yet another fire the Circus was rebuilt by Trajan in 103 AD. The
Roman Empire was at the height of its power and the new Circus Maximus
reflected this status. The Circus was now a stone construction, three
stories high. When it was rebuilt that time, it was more than 600 meters long and 150 meters wide (2000x500ft)!
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| The Circus Maximus in 2016 |
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| A really hot looking Gladiator |
MORE GLADIATORS! - Of course, any time we can toss in a picture of a gladiator, we're going to do it. : )
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| What Circus Maximus looked like when built- very long! |
TODAY- it's mostly a grassy area. Only the layout of the original circus can be seen in what is now a
large grassland. Most of the original structure was used as building
material for medieval and Renaissance constructions.
OTHER PICTURES - There were so many ruins of different buildings
within the ancient Roman ruins area that it would take all day to name
them. If you're interested to know more about them check out the book
"Rome" by R.A. Staccioli. We bought a copy and it shows current photos
and drawings of how the buildings looked when built.
NEXT: Standard of Living Declines from 1 CE (AD) to the Middle Ages
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| The Square of the Roman Forum |
CREATED BY- Tarquinius Priscus, the fifth king of Rome, created a track between the Palatine and Aventine hills.
