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Early start to the day today and went to the colosseum. Did a guided your which was very interesting. Learnt about the history of the amphitheatre. The architecture behind the building and the way the marble had holes in them where iron rods were put in to support them. The whole amphitheatre itself only took 8 years to build. The staircases indicated different social levels and hierarchy. The higher up were the common people and lower down were majesties and the emperor would have the best seat in the theatre. The colosseum was originally built as a distraction method to take attention away from the politics occurring in the roman forum. Games would be played at the colosseum whereby 'gladiators' (prisoners, slaves & peasants) would challenge wild animals. There's been about 70,000 deaths. The emperor would also 'take part' in the games by making the decision whether to save the gladiator or to continue til the end (death).
The stage had an underground basement with corridors where acts would rise up in the elevators. Only a small portion of the original colosseum a exists today.
They are still discovering more about the colosseum today. Only about 7 years ago, archeologists discovered a statue once kept at the colosseum. It was a gladiator on a horse. The remains of the statue are displayed at the colosseum today.
The tour later took us to what is known as the heart of Rome. The palatine and roman forum. As we crossed over the path to the roman forum ( built by Julius Caesar). Then suddenly it started raining and a huge storm hit Rome. We had to purchase ponchos just to try keep dry but it was hopeless. There was thunder and lightening all over the roman forum. So sadly missed out on much sightseeing around there.
The storm cleared up mid afternoon so we decided to go to the fountain spectacle (Fontana termi) which was Rome's biggest water fountain! We caught it at a wrong time though as it's under construction at the moment!
Heading to Vienna tonight.
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