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083104: Another Fabulous Day in Rome |
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written
by kelih / 09.04.2004 |
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Itinerary |
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After a quick breakfast of a cappuccino and cornetto, we started off at the Pantheon, meeting at the fountain directly across from its entrance. After a short quiz on the last night’s reading, Andrea gave an intriguing presentation on the Pantheon’s unique history as well as its unusual architecture. Once inside, we explored the building and visited the many tombs, including that of Raphael. We also examined the newer Christian art that filled the niches where representations of Roman emperors once stood and imagined Hadrian entering the Pantheon with the oculus spot light divining him.
Following a discussion of the once bronze ceiling and of the oculus, we proceeded through the busy streets of Rome, dodging Vespas (and near death), to the famous Coliseum. After a quick pit stop to a metro bathroom (where one was required to take toilet paper from a roll hanging on the door before going into the stall), we went through a metal detector and scanned our bags, much like at the airport where our journey began. Immediately after entering the Coliseum, we climbed the steep brick steps to the second floor. There we looked out upon the main floor, imagining gladiators fighting and naval battles on a flooded Coliseum floor as James presented the grandeur of the Coliseum. We contemplated how a roof was constructed to shade the spectators, marveling at the genius of Roman engineers, and cringed at the thoughts of the Roman lust for blood. After contemplating the symbolism of the Coliseum to Romans and learning about the Christian matrydom that took place on the very same grounds that we stood, we left the Coliseum for the Arch of Constantine.
As Helen explained the Arch of Constantine, we gazed up in awe at the spoilia and its use to commemorate Constantine’s victory over a tyrant. We examined the use of different styles of sculpture, and walked around the arch itself, learning the story of Constantine’s victory conveyed by the frieze wrapped around the monument.
After, we had free time to roam Rome, soaking up its intimate culture until our sociology class. In our sociology class we examined the state, and more specifically the welfare state and its implications in society. Here we compared Italy to other welfare states, learning of the problems arising from this system as well as how it differs/is similar to the system of other welfare states.
With a quick break for dinner, we reconvened in the large common area for a showing of the movie Gladiator, watching the bloody scenes taking place in the Coliseum equipped with a new knowledge of its history and importance. After this screening, we wandered back to our individual apartments, some of us taking gelato back with us, others finishing work, before finally retiring to the soothing sounds of the music and light chatter of night life in Campo di Fiori.
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Highlights |
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In Rome, the whole experience is a highlight. From examining the Pantheon in detail to soaking up the grandeur of the Coliseum, it is still hard to believe that we are here in Rome, actually seeing the art first hand. The culture is amazing, and using our newly acquired language skills, we ask for three kinds of gelato, making the person behind the counter wonder if we are Italian. Today, in the market of the Campo di Fiori, many of us bought fresh fruits and vegetables, later to splendor in their flavor and freshness. In sociology, we contemplate the problems that Italy faces, each day seeing for the first time these problems that we learned of the night before as we wander the streets. Last of all, who would not love to drift off to sleep with the soft sounds of Italian musicians ushering in dreams of the day to come?
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Images |
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| photo by Keli |
| Amanda and Kara at the Pantheon |
| Here are the lovely Amanda and Kara posing for the camera in the Pantheon. In the Pantheon Andrea continued to elaborate on the beautiful interior of this building, pointing out both the ceiling and the oculus at the top. We also observed the sloped floor, which causes the rain that enters from the oculus to flow into the drains located around the inside edges of the building. |
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| photo by Keli |
| James presenting at the Coliseum |
| Before beginning his presentation, James poses in a gladiator stance for Giorgio. On the second floor of the Coliseum, we had a great view of the whole structure, allowing us to visual what it must have looked like crowded with Romans while gladiators and animals fought below in the main arena. |
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These pictures are taken at the two main monuments that we visited today. The first picture is of Amanda and Kara. We visited it early in the morning, avoiding crowds, and walked around inside the structure. It was great to be able to see the building in detail and to look up at the huge dome above our heads. The second picture is of James right before his presentation. Here he is posing for Giorgio in a gladiator stance (although you can't quite tell this from the picture), starting off his detailed presentaion filled with well placed witty remarks as well as information about the history of the Coliseum.
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