All the glories of ancient Rome are available to visitors. If you are visiting Rome for the first time, decide in advance what is most important for you. As the Romans say, “non basta ulna vita,” which translated means, “a lifetime is not enough.”
One of the nice things about ancient Rome is that the sights are somewhat concentrated in certain areas of the city. Do yourself a favor, and join a small group tour. Start where it all began – the heart of Imperial Rome – the social and political core of the Roman Empire. It is here where you will find the Forum, the Colosseum, and the Pantheon, known as the Temple of the gods. The Pantheon is the best-preserved evidence of the glory and grandeur of ancient Rome.
The Roman Forum
It is here where you will appreciate being with a knowledgeable guide. The forum is impressive, but being a sprawl of ruins, it can be very confusing. It was not always like that. Being Rome’s showpiece city center, it once was a district of vibrant public spaces, interspersed with temples and grand basilicas. It was in the Forum that the remains of Julius Cesar were cremated.
Close by are the two Capitoline Museums – the world’s oldest museums – dating back to 1471. It is here that you can enjoy a magnificent collection of classical sculptures and works of art from such masters as Titian, Rubens, Caravaggio, and more.
The Colosseum
No visit to Rome would be complete without visiting the magnificent amphitheater. Just like today, seating in the Colosseum was not “first come-first serve.” Although there were 50,000 seats, seating was based on the social status of the individual. The Podium was exclusive for the Emperor and his entourage. The second tier was reserved for nobility, the third for ordinary males, or plebeians, while the top tiers were reserved for Rome’s poor citizens. Those lucky enough to visit the top tiers today will get an extraordinary view of the entire Colosseum, the Forum and the city itself.
