Ancient Rome on 5 Denarii a Day

1.  "All the baths have a changing room(apodyterium), heated by a warm bath, a warm bath (tepidarium), A hot room with hot air and hot baths (caldarium), and a room with a refreshing cold plunge bath (frigidarium)" (Pg 124) 

I had to do my on-site presentation of roman baths and it was so nice to take pictures of where the baths were located and the areas connected to them. I felt like it made the presentation more interesting and being able to see it was better than the pictures I took, in my opinion. 

2. "Landlords will be happy to rent rooms by the month, the week, or even for requirements of a particular nature by the hour. " (Pg 31) 

Halfway through the trip, I ended up getting covid and I had to move from my hotel room to an apartment building near the Vatican. I was there for two weeks but I was so grateful for the things people got me to keep me busy during my time alone. But also for the people who texted me and my sister who took me on a virtual tour at Walmart from the USA. 

3. "Shopping in the capital of the world, is a hit or miss affair" (pg 63) 

I have to agree with this statement as some things were a steal to buy like food, water, and some small keychains but some eating places could even be a miss, but even if I felt like I could have eaten at cheaper places, sometimes it was worth the money to eat the amazing Italian food. 

4. Where are you going to stay? How will you pay? what types of transport is available? (pg 6)

While in Rome the way to travel was by bus mostly to go anywhere exciting or to do things like clean clothing. we even had to take a tram and trains to get to other cities as we didn't have cars to take us. 

5. staying in rome is not cheap, and the jounrey itself is not cheap. (pg 6)

To me these are the dishes that cost me alot. it was a peruvian dish and the other was a stake with potatos. sometimes I could not find places to eat that were cheap so I had to eat at places that werre expensive and sometimes I don't know if it was worth it but you got to eat. 

6. take your own provisions for the journey (pg 7) 

From the beginning of the trip we were always told to have water with us no matter where we went as in Italy it was very hot. from day one I carried a 2 litter bottle of water with me and even in Pompeii I felt like I drank like 3 gallons of water as there was barely any shade there. The sun was blaring on us and we were alll happy to have the water as we all would of been dehydrated. 

7. the very rich will want a litter or at least a sedan chair. (pg 10) 

On one of the days on the trip, we went to the island of Capri which was a very expensive place and we even had to pay to take a seat at the beach, it cost 20 euros just to have a beach chair. Glad I don't mind sitting on the ground. 

8. the type of housing, quality of neighborhood, distance to the sanitary facilities, and how far you are prepared to walk anywhere interesting or important are all vital considerations (pg25) 

Staying in Rome we already knew where we were staying and it was a beautiful hotel that had a good size bathroom for doubles and good rooms for singles. we were prepared for the long nights where we needed rest and glad to be in the center of Rome where it was easy to get to some places. 

9.Romans have a habit of sitting cesspits uncomfortably close to wells so it will come as a relief to know that the Rome itself has an extensive sewer system which is regularly flushed with wastewater from the aqueducts. (pg 34)

All over Rome was clean water and from fountains, you could get the water or even from the bathrooms or sinks. the water was cleat and healthy that you never worry about thirst and it tasted so clean and was just beautiful to look at. 

10.) Food is important to the Romans and the taking of it generally is a social occasion ( Pg 39)

This was why the meals I ate with a friend and I always went out to eat with said friend because in Rome it was safer to be with someone else but I always enjoyed those meals with her and was grateful to have someone to eat with. we even went out for drinks and enjoy each others company in a country we've never been in before but together we were happy to explore it and even be social with other people we didn’t know. 

11. Since someone worked out how to blow glass in the mid 1st century AD, glassware has become increasingly common for drinking vessels (pg 45)

At the museum the group went to with me we saw these beautiful fetuses of superheroes and being in this style of glass made it stand out as it sparkled inside of it and the lighting from under it immediate look even more eye catching. I felt like if it wasn't in this structure it wouldn't stand out as much but being in this crystallized formation made it where it caught your eye to look at to understand better to know what's going on and the artist who designed this was really thoughtful and has a beautiful and creative mind think of something like this.

12. Since the government of Rome is considered only with public order…(pg 74)

all over Rome there were areas that seem to have more important where people like this were standing with big guns and military outfits. at times there wasn't places where the police was but there were certainly these military people who stood guard at important buildings to keep people in line and location safe.

13. through much appreciated by the intelligentsia drama in Rome is something of a Cinderella as an entertainment form (pg 90)

This was a theater in Ostia that I found amazing to look at and to experience myself as I never understood or even believes that without a microphone you could be heard. but a friend and I tested it out and it was like a fairy tale how realistic it then became from the top of the stairs to the bottom of the stage we could hear one other without screaming.

14. Rome swarms with gods not only does the Rome religion have hundreds of them but every nation including Jews, Arabs, Germans, Spaniards, and Britons have each imported their own (pg 96)

On my last day in Rome I went out to eat with my cousin and she showed me these two famous Catholic churches side by side that I thought were beautiful to look at. I unfortunately missed when we went to a Catholic Church and went to see the Pope but being able to see these churches own my on were amazing because churches here aren't these beautiful buildings as they have in Italy. in Italy they have churches that are remarkable and really stand out making it feel more important than just what's in the inside and the people.

15. The baths are set in their own gardens is surrounded by sports facilities and libraries (pg126)

These is the gardens of Nero, they were said to be beautiful, he cared more about himself than his city, he had these gardens to the best they could be but, they were covered up to be the colosseum, then uncovered to see them and I wish the gardens were still here. 

Megan and Annmarie 5 Denarrii Assignment

 

“... The profusion of light and color combine to make this a temple of enduring fascination…” 

The Pantheon photo courtesy of Dave

“The joy of such plays is that they can be presented as elegant stage productions (which you can watch from a comfortable seat).”

"... so Peter's burial site has never been a secret. In fact, it became a place of pilgrimage almost from the day it was dug"

The photo shown is the burial site of St. Peter in the center of his own basilica. Here, was the main sight most people flocked to. We saw some people blessing themself, some in the middle of prayers, and others just taking in the site.

 

“Comic actors playing stock characters”

This photo shows examples of some of the designs of stylized masks used. They have a fair amount of detail allowing us even today to match the emotion with the mask. 

“Almost everyone, in Rome, and in the whole empire, supports one or another of these.”

At the Circus Maximus, we took a VR tour of the construction of the site. At the last part of the tour, we actually saw a chariot  race! Once the team of blonde horses won, we saw them parade around the arena filled with audience cheers. 

“Horses are rare, and generally used only by the imperial post and the army”

On our trip, horses were also a rare sight. They were only seen during our day trip to Florence. There, they weren’t like the bus in the way that anyone and everyone could hop in the carriage. They were reserved for those who paid a fee and only had them for a limited amount of time on a preplanned drop off point. 

“The reservoirs at the end of the journey store the water for release into pipes that deliver it to almost every street corner in Rome.”

These water fountains were a saving grace throughout our trip. They were perfect for hot days when we toured archeological sites or the city itself!

“The Romans appreciate the importance of clean water, good diet, and healthy exercise.”

One of the best desserts were chilled strawberries on a hot day. They were so refreshing and hydrating that our entire group agreed we could spend all day snacking on them.

“Food is important to the Romans”

We couldn't have a photo journal without at least one food pic. This is the appetizer plate served to us on our last day. The fried dough was something we never tried prior and one of the best new foods we tried. 

“Roman society is made up of interlocking networks of such friendships, and the favors that Romans do for one another are the societal currency of Rome.”

Throughout this trip we made connections that will last a lifetime. We had the best days and some days we struggled. No matter what, we always had someone checking in on us and brightening our day.

“... specialist shops cater for all particular needs…”

In Sorrento, one of the main exports was a drink known as limoncello. You could buy bottles of all sizes, and other lemon merchandise. 

“Roman does not have a police force”

It is interesting to look back and see how much has changed throughout history. In today's time, there are two types of police, the regular city police and the Carabinieri, which is the militaries police force.”

“Augustine’s Confessions tell of a friend named Alypius, who avoided the arena.”

Unlike Alypius, everyone in today's time flocked to the Colosseum. In fact, a guide mentioned it was one of the only sites where you needed online tickets to book reservations.

“Every street has some little shrine, and temples are almost as ubiquitous as tarvens.”

A shrine with cherubs surrounding on a street corner near our hotel.

“... and towards the centre of civilization, the bathhouses become larger and grander.” 

This is a beautiful mosaic that served as an entrance to a bathhouse in Ostia. Each tile was handlaid. 

”With tens of thousands of spectators flooding into the stadium, it is important to approach from the correct angle to begin with. Each ticket was marked with the appropriate entry gate.”

The colosseum was bigger than any picture can do justice. This view from inside helps capture just how large it actually was.

Class Discussion 5: Temple of Diana

  Within the massive grounds of the Villa Borghese, there is a small, circular structure that was once a temple dedicated to Diana (Tempio di Diana).  While the structure itself is beautiful and intricately designed, it is missing the original statue of the goddess it was dedicated to, which is now on display in the Louvre in France.  The pedestal and inscription remain, but the absence of the statue completely changes the tone of the structure, since it now seems to just be similar to a small gazebo within the villa’s grounds.  This atmosphere was not helped by the fact that tourists seemed to view the pedestal as a prop for photos, many of which waited in line to take turns hopping onto it for a quick picture.  The lack of respect for the space was somewhat frustrating to me, since it had already been damaged by the original looting of the statue that has been further disrespected by people treating it as nothing more than a backdrop rather than a site of historical significance.  The presence of the statue might not guarantee that people would be more respectful of the temple, but it is likely that visitors would not be as quick to jump all over it with little regard for the structural integrity.  By removing aspects of the Tempio di Diana, part of the site’s dignity has also been removed, which contributes to an entirely different viewing experience than one would have if we were able to see the temple as it was originally designed and intended to be viewed.

Class Discussion 4: Galleria Sciarra

  Although it was one of the lesser-known destinations, the Galleria Sciarra was one of my favorite finds during our time in Rome.  It was originally built to be a courtyard as part of a private residence for a wealthy family to facilitate access between their properties, but it has since been changed into a public passageway as a shortcut between office buildings.  It features a glass roof that illuminates the walls covered in frescoes of powerful women, as well as the embodiment of the Virtues.  While this is not an ancient site (it was constructed in the 19th Century and restored later), I found it to be an interesting example of how sites once intended to highlight wealth and opulence can be transformed into functional spaces for the public.  What was once intended to be kept private for the enjoyment of a select few powerful individuals has been turned into a means of making life easier for the public, since it provides a walkway to avoid walking around the building complex but the glass roof has preserved the beautiful frescoes within the space so they can still be enjoyed.  While this was not the original intention of the artist and owners, since this space was originally a private courtyard, it is an excellent example of how time alters the functionality of spaces and objects.  Much like how Nero’s private residence was transformed into space to be used by the public, the Galleria Sciarra has been preserved not to highlight the influence of the original owners, but to provide ease and beauty to the daily commute of countless pedestrians who pass through the space.

Class Discussion 3: Galleria degli Uffizi

As one of the oldest and most-visited museums in the area, the Gallerie degli Uffizi, or Uffizi Gallery, was another of my must-see destinations in Florence.  The museum is home to a large collection of sculptures and paintings from a wide variety of ancient and modern areas, including several pieces by Botticelli, Caravaggio, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci.  With such an impressive collection it makes sense that the museum would be crowded, but I was unprepared for just how busy the space would be.  Before even entering the main exhibits, visitors must climb several flights of steps, which open to the first corridor.  The main corridors are lined with marble statues and frescoed ceilings, with windows offering a beautiful view of the city on one side and gallery entrances on the other.  However, they were also packed full of visitors at the time of my visit, which made it difficult to appreciate the details of the frescoes and sculptures.  Some galleries were busier than others, depending on the popularity of the pieces featured in each room, which made it difficult to view the more well-known pieces in depth since there were many other visitors waiting for their chance to look up close.  With that being said, I appreciated the way the museum was organized, since artwork was sorted based on the artist and the style, which made it much easier to view the artistic and historic influence of individual artists and eras.  

Once you leave the two main corridors on the top floor, the Uffizi becomes much less crowded.  It was far easier to navigate the remaining exhibits with smaller crowds and a slower-paced environment, which allowed me the freedom to explore the paintings and their stories more fully.  This was a much more fulfilling and informative experience, and it was a definite reminder that curators must be aware of their responsibility to create an atmosphere where visitors can truly take in the piece they are viewing in order to appreciate its significance, since rushing through cheapens the experience and makes it more difficult to explore the artist’s intentio