Trajan's Forum

Trojan's Forum: November 14th

         Trajan was the Emperor of Rome from 98 to 117 AD.  He was born in Hispania and was Rome's first non-Italian Emperor.  Trajan was part of the Roman army before he became emperor.  He was granted consulship in 91 AD.  Emperor Nerva adopted Trajan, and when Nerva died in 98, Trajan was named emperor.  His main accomplishment was expanding the empire to the greatest extent in its history, but he also had extensive building projects.
          We visited the Forum of Trajan on our excursion to Rome.  Trajan used the funds from his war with Dacia to fund his building project, and the forum was inaugurated in 112 AD.  Apollodorus was the architect for the project.  The Forum is huge, the largest of all the Imperial Fora, and measures 300 by 180 meters. 
          Though we were unable to see Trajan's Market, as it was closed for a strike, we were able to visit Trajan's Column.  The column is 35 meters high, including the pedestal.  If you were to uncoil the band of images around the column, it would be 190 meters long.  Trajan's Column was dedicated to the emperor's victory in the Dacian wars, and it was built in 113 AD.  The frieze, or band of relief sculpture that winds around the Column, depicts Trajan's victories over the Dacians.  A statue of Trajan was originally placed on top of the column, but during the Middle Ages, it was replaced with a statue of Saint Peter.
          Although I was disappointed we were unable to visit Trajan's Market, seeing the tower and the Emperor's expansive forum was interesting.  During our visits to the Imperial Fora, it was interesting to be able to see the spaces where these ancient structures used to stand.  The book with the photos of reconstructions helped me to better understand how the Roman Empire might have looked during the height of its rule in Europe. 

The Roman Forum

The Roman Forum: November 14th

          The Roman Forum is an expansive piece of land where various Roman Emperors erected monuments and temples in honor of themselves and others.  On our excursion to the Roman Forum, we saw 20 ancient ruins, give or take.  Among some of the most notable are the Temple of Julius Caesar, the Temple of the Vesta, the House of the Vestals, the Basilica Julia, the Original Forum, the Temple of Saturn, the Basilica of Mexentius, the Arch of Septimius Severus, and the Arch of Titus.  Since the history found in the Roman Forum spans centuries, I will only discuss a few of my favorite monuments.

          First, I was fascinated by the Temple of the Vesta and the House of the Vestals.  In the Forum, I liked the Temple of the Vesta specifically because it was a round temple, granted only one small piece of it remains today.  I was also drawn to these monuments because we had discussed the Vestal Virgins in class.  These women were responsible for stoking the fire of the hearth and home in the Temple of the Vesta.  If they let the fire go out or engaged in sexual acts, they could be whipped or even buried alive.  These buildings were built between 7th and 6th century BC.

         Another monument that I found interesting was the Arch of Septimius Severus.  This arch was constructed in 203 AD in honor of Emperor Septimius Severus' Parthian Victories.  The inscription originally mentioned the Emperor and his two sons Geta and Caracella, but Geta's name was removed in 212 AD when a damnatio memoriae, or condemnation of memory was ordered by his brother.  Caracella killed Geta in 212 and ordered that his name be removed from every public buildings.  

         The Temple of Saturn was another of my favorite monuments in the Roman Forum.  Though the original temple was dedicated in 497 BC, it was rebuilt twice, and the current temple is from 283 AD. The temple was used as the Roman Treasury. 

          The Roman Forum is a critical site for Roman history because so many emperors erected monuments here.  The wealth and importance of ancient Rome can be seen even in the ruins of their once beautiful temples, arches, and basilicas.

Firenze

Florence: November 30th

         Florence, though mainly known as the home of Italian Renaissance, has ancient Roman origins.  Lucius Cornelius Sulla established Florence in 80 BC.  The name Florence originates from the Latin Fluentia, or flowing, because it was located between two rivers.  The city was originally intended as an army camp for Sulla's army veterans, but it quickly grew. 

         The most important time period in Florence's history is the Renaissance.  Most of the Italian Renaissance masters worked in Florence, but in order to understand the culture of the Renaissance, it's important to examine the Medici family.  The Medici family was originally poor and unimportant.  The Medici Bank was the beginning of their dynasty.  Giovanni di Bicci de Medici opened the bank in 1397, and Cosimo the Elder, Giovanni's son, took over in 1434.  Cosimo, his son Piero, and Piero's son Lorenzo are considered the most influential members of the Medici family.  The Medici were the unofficial rulers of the Florentine republic.  The Medici family were important politically, but they were also avid patrons of the arts.  Congruent with Renaissance ideals, the Medici family loved classicism and ancient Roman art.  Giovanni di Bicci commissioned works by Brunelleschi, who was famous for his love of geometry and who created the dome for the cathedral in Florence.  Cosimo de Medici commissioned works by Donatello, the famous sculptor who was the first artist to make entire bronze statues since the ancient Romans.  Lorenzo de Medici, known as Lorenzo the Magnificent, commissioned works by the famous Domenico Ghirlandaio, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Sandro Botticelli.  This family's patronage was crucial for the art of the Renaissance.  Without their support, the artists couldn't have afforded to produce such lovely, expensive works.

          On our excursion in Florence, we visited the Uffizzi museum where we were able to see the Medici's collection of ancient Roman sculptures, Renaissance scuptures, and Renaissance paintings.  Some of the most memorable works that we saw include Cimabue's Maesta from 1285, Masaccio's Madonna with Child from 1425, Paolo Uccello's Battle of San Romano from 1456, Sandro Botticelli's Triumph of Venus (or La Primavera) from 1478, and Michelangelo's Tondo Doni from 1504.

          Florence is an amazing place to visit because not only was Renaissance founded there, but so many of the works from this time period are still in Florence.  Seeing the works in the original Renaissance city makes me appreciate them that much more. 

Medieval Manhatten

San Gimignano: September 30th

         The town of San Gimignano was originally a small Etruscan village in 3rd century BC.  Later, in 1st century AD, Muzio and Silvio, two brothers, built two castles on the site after they fled from Rome.  The castles were called Silvia and Muccio, and the name Silvia was changed to San Gimignano after Bishop Geminianus in 450 AD.  

         When the Via Francigena was established during the Middle Ages, Sam Gimignano became a stop for Catholic pilgrims on their way to Rome.  San Gimignano, like Siena, grew rapidly as a result of the pilgrimage, and the trade of agricultural goods were important to its economy.  Saffron was traded widely in San Gimignano, and even today, this spice is a specialty of the town.

          In the 13th and 14th centuries, there was a rivalry between two of the most influential families in San Gimignano.  Since during this time period power was conveyed by the height of one's tower, the families began building towers of increasing heights.  There were as many as 72 towers of over 70 meters in height in San Gimignano.  The rivalry was finally put to an end when the town council announced that no tower should be taller than the tower of the Palazzo Communale.  The towers built during this rivalry have earned San Gimignano the nickname "Modern Manhatten" today.  On our excursion to San Gimignano, we climbed one of the towers and were able to see beautiful views of the town and the Tuscan countryside.  San Gimignano continued to grow in size and wealth until the black plague hit in 1348.  Half of its population was wiped out. 

          Today, the medieval town draws many tourists.  It also has the "World's Best Gelato," which I am proud to say that I have eaten.  I don't know if it's the best, but it's better than Grom.

Siena

Siena: September 27th-December 15th

           As the myth goes, Romulus and Remus, the twin sons of Rhea and Mars, founded Rome. Rhea's uncle Amulius abandoned the twins and left them for dead, but miraculously, a shewolf finds them, and suckles them.  The twins grow up, and when they learn the truth of their origins, they kill their uncle.  They decide to choose a town to rule, but they can't agree on a location.  Romulus chooses the Palantine Hill, but Remus prefers the Aventine Hill.  The twins fight and Remus is killed, and then Romulus establishes Rome on the Palantine Hill.  According to Sienese mythology, Remus had children before his death.  His son, Senius then went on to found the town of Siena.

           The history of Siena dates back to the time of the Etruscans, who lived in Tuscany before the Roman Empire conquered Italy.  Originally, a tribe called Saina occupied the area.  During Augustus's rule as emperor, he established a city called Saena Julia in 1st century AD.  Siena was a poor town until the Middle Ages when the Via Francigena between France and Rome was established.  This road ran directly through the town of Siena, and even today, the most prominent road in Siena is what used to be the Via Francigena.  After this road was established, there was a massive pilgrimage from France to Italy, and Siena became very wealthy.  New ideas and techniques for artwork and other skills were spread during this time.

           Siena originally had an ancient Roman temple dedicated to Minerva.  When Christianity dominated the country, the first cathedral of Siena was built in 9th century AD.  This church was built directly on top of the temple of Minerva.  In late 12th century, Siena built another cathedral on top of their first.  Siena had gained status and was growing, so the new cathedral was built to accommodate the city's larger size.  Siena continued to grow with the expansion of the Via Francigena, and by mid 13th century Siena was extremely wealthy.  The town built a third, much more decorated cathedral, which is the Duomo that we can see today.  In the mid 14th century, Siena began expanding the cathedral, but the Black Plague hit in 1348, and the additions were never finished.

           Since Siena was our home for this vacation, it's my favorite town.  Learning about the history and culture of Siena has made my experience here much richer.  We've learned about the Etruscans, Romans, Renaissance Sienese culture, the Palio, the World Wars, and Sienese culture today. 

Trier

Trier: November 24th

            My roommates and I went to Germany for Thanksgiving weekend.  We started in Binsfeld, where Amanda’s parents live.  On Saturday, we went to Trier, the oldest town in Germany.  The town of Trier, originally called Augusta Treverorum, was officially established by Emperor Augustus in 16C BC.  As we were driving into town, the Porta Nigra was the first monument that caught our attention.  Porta Nigra means “Black Gate” and was renamed in the Middle Ages when the sandstones blackened with age.  

            Next, we walked to the Hauptmarkt, which is the center of Trier's Old Town. The market is marked by the Market Cross, which is a large column with a small cross on top.  The original market cross is now in a museum in Trier, but a replica still stands in the square.  There was a Christmas market in the square, and we saw many 17th century buildings.  One building, built in 1648, called the Red House had an inscription that stated: (the following is an English translation of the Latin) "Before Rome Trier stood one thousand and three hundred years, may it continue to stand and enjoy eternal peace. Amen!" 

          From the Hauptmarkt, we went to Trier's two most famous churches.  This pair of churches is built on the foundations of the north and south church that were built by Emperor Constantine in 326.  The Cathedral of Trier was built in ...  The neighboring Church of Our Lady is one of Germany's first Gothic churches and was built from 1235 through 1260.

         We walked visited Constantine's Basilica, the Aula Palatina, which was built in early 4th Century AD on the remains of his imperial palace.  This Basilica was most likely originally the throne room or audience hall for an entire complex that used to be in the area.  When the Electoral Palace was built in 17 century, the Basilica was integrated into the new building.  During WWII, the building was badly destroyed.  We saw images of the entire roof missing.  The Basilica was reconstructed from 1944 to 1956.

          The Electoral Palace, which is attached to the Aula Palatina, was designed by Prince Elector J. Ph. Von Walderdorff after he came to power in 1756.  The "garden frontage" of the palace is now asymmetrical because during the restoration of the Basilica, part of the west wing was torn down.

          Towards the end of our visit, we went to the Imperial Baths, which are the younger of Trier's ancient baths.  The St. Barbara baths are older, but we didn't visit these.  The Imperial Baths were built by Constantine in 4th century AD.  The baths were left unfinished by Constantine and were never used for their intended use.  His successors remodeled them, and in the Middle Ages, the baths were used as part of the city walls of Trier.

          This excursion was particularly interesting because, living in Italy, we've been at the heart where most of the things in the Roman empire occurred.  By visiting Germany and seeing ancient Roman buildings, I was able to better understand the true extent of the Roman empire.  Many countries have Roman history, not just Italy.

The Colosseum

The Colosseum: November 14^th

 

            During our excursion to Rome, we visited the Flavian Amphitheater, more commonly known as the Colosseum.  The name “Colosseum” originates from the colossal statue of Nero which used to stand in front of the building.  The Flavian Amphitheater was commissioned by Emperor Vespasian in 72 AD and was completed by Emperor Titus in 80 AD.  The plot of land on which it was built was formerly owned by Emperor Nero for his palace, the Domus Aura.  Nero’s artificial lake was filled, and the amphitheater was built directly on top of it. 

The Colosseum measures 188 meters by 156 meters and is over 48 meters tall.  The amphitheater could accommodate 55,000 people.  The tiers of seating were organized hierarchically: the seats closest to the fighting were reserved for the richest and most influential spectators, and there was standing room only on the highest level for the slaves and poor spectators.  The amphitheater could be filled and emptied in record time.  It was also equipt with a velarium, an awning that shaded spectators from the sun. 

The grand opening of the Colosseum lasted 100 days, and around 5,000 animals were slaughtered.  The most popular games were the hunts and gladiatorial games, but early on sea battles were also reenacted by filling the Colosseum with water.  Later, the hypogea, the area under the Colosseum’s floor, was constructed and trap doors were added to enhance excitement.   

Today, the Colosseum is a major tourist attraction.  We were able to tour the amphitheater and see what remains of this ancient Roman architectural masterpiece.