Ryan 5 Denarii a Day

“The killer [in a case of patricide] would find himself sewn into a leather sack with a dog, a cock, a viper, and an ape, … would be violently beaten, then dropped into the Tiber” (60).

The beautiful view of the Tiber River does betray its brutal past use in this example of capital punishment.

“Despite the 50,000-80,000 people packing the stands, from almost every angle the arena is surprisingly close and personal” (83).

The floor of the Colosseum did seem quite close despite its size.

“For excitement and spectacle the Circus is indeed ‘Maximus’” (88).

The Circus doesn’t seem very Maximus anymore :/

“Considering the future consequences of the religion he brought to Rome, Peter’s tomb is rather humble and inconspicuous” (124).

Though not technically the tomb of St. Peter, St. Peter’s Basilica is not very humble or inconspicuous.

“The function of these villas is less agricultural than to provide refuge from the heat, noise and distractions of city life” (15).

The fountain of this villa was certainly a change of pace from the city of Rome itself.

“Trajan’s Forum is dominated by this huge column”(122).

Trajan’s Column is quite dominating.

“For visitors, no trip to Rome is complete without a trip to the Forum, simply because so much of Rome’s history happened in this one small valley” (115).

Overlooking the ruins of the Forum and thus the history of Rome made my trip more complete.

“Anyone with goods to dispose of might go to a designated commercial area and set up his pitch” (68).

Kind of similar to the small market in Trastevere which sold fruit, vegetable, and other products.

“Since the government of Rome is concerned only with public order, the job of fighting crime is left to Joe Citizen (74)”.

It is interesting to think about how global economic development has influenced the use of military force and the militarization of police forces.

“The Roman year is packed with festivals” (103).

Such as the street festival which featured a puppet show that a few of us stumbled upon in Trastevere.

“Other celebrations are extremely public, and not only can a visitor not miss them, many visitors also come to Rome especially for them” (103).

The celebration of Republic Day could be classified as an extremely public celebration.

“The main course is meat, game, poultry, and combinations of each, so smothered in pungent sauce that it can be hard to determine what is underneath” (46). 

This passage made me think of the Bolognese sauce that topped this lasagna.

“Dessert is no afterthought, and may well be an extravagance of sweetmeats, pastries, fresh fruit and nuts” (46).

As I had two servings of tiramisu in one night I can confirm dessert is not an afterthought in Rome.

“The tone of the evening will be set by the entertainment. There may be readings from the philosophers, cithara music, or poetic works” (46).

This poem hung on the wall of a restaurant. Though it was not actually read and I couldn’t understand it, it was entertaining to look at.

“The Romans pay great attention to their horoscopes” (71).

Though it was hard to see stars, or at times even the moon, it is interesting to think about how ancient Romans viewed these astrological objects in various contexts.

Discussion 5:Villa Giulia / National Etruscan Museum

 On May 24^th the group and I visited  Villa Giulia / National Etruscan Museum where after a guided tour we got to walk around the museum ourselves and see things we would of not with being guided. My friend and I discovered these superhero fetuses made by a French artist Alexandre Nicholas. I got too these fetuses in only three angles not from behind or bottom, but it was in a special called synthetic crystal acrylic. Being in this glass made it stand out more and this is what this artist was also known for. Putting these fetuses in it could make the people walking around, catch their eyes and to learn more about it. These fetuses were to show the vulnerability of the superheroes but how they are in that pose to one day show their potential and what they have to offer the world. That’s how I saw it, the superhero’s in a state that makes them so fragile but seeing it enclosed in that glass dressed like their superhero outfits, made the viewing better. I felt like how it was in that crystal, shining in the lights and how it was formed, it was positioned in the right angle that you knew what the art was and could enjoy it from the way the museum put it. It was a marvelous viewing in all, and then seeing all the other fetuses was amazing too, I felt like the light the museum put it on made it stand out more and who needs angles if it’s a person, a baby.

Discussion 4: Statue of Centaur in Pompeii

 In Pompeii there was a particular statue that caught my eye, which at first I just called the horse man with a head in it. Later on by doing some research I discovered it is a centaur. I saw more pictures of it online and some were closer from on angle and even making it look like they were next to it. The viewing experience I got from it was definitely better then some picture as I could walk a full circle around it and see it from all angles and it was way higher then pictures. Looking up at the horse, seeing the head inside the centaur was better not only in person but being to look at it from all angles. It was missing pieces in certain places like the head, and then carved in was another person head in the middle of the body. This statue was not really in the guided tour so I had to look it up myself to know more about it. So seeing it first, being able to form my own questions and then doing my small finds, was amazing. I was able to say yeah I saw that, or oh that makes more sense. I really did enjoy seeing it and learning on my own more what this statue had to offer.

Discussion 3: Ostia Theater

 On May 28^th 2022, we had a day in Ostia where we got to visit ancient cities there and a place I found very interesting was the theater. We saw a theater in Pompeii that was small and only got to see from an open window and only get to see it from one angle. Looking at it only open and down, from the bottom near the stage was not as exciting as in Ostia. Seeing the Ostia theater and walking through all sides, even going all the way to the top and seeing from an aerial view was thrilling. From down below you could see all around at the people on the top and from the sides, getting to walk around and see the stage. But, on top, it was a whole other experience was I got to test out how the structure of the theater made it so everyone, no matter where sat, could hear the people on stage. A traveler with me stood at the bottom and from up there it was far, but she spoke in a normal volume and you could hear her from the top! Looking around to understand how it worked made the experience much more amazing and understanding how they used what they had, with no microphones like we do now was a phenomenal moment. This was more of a semi-self-guided tour as once it was spoken about we got to use the theater basically, as much as we could, and it made it worth it than just passing the area. Being able to walk all around it, seeing every step, all around it, bottom to top, on my own was a good independent viewing experience. 

Discussion 2 Colosseum

 Going to see the Colosseum was one of the highlights of the trip for me and a viewing experience I will never forget. Pictures do not to do the place justice as seeing it from just one side or from a distance was not enough. I felt like being there in person made the history come to life and seeing where the gladiators fought in person was like really being able to imagine how they went down. I felt with it also being a guided tour then just on our own was much more better as this is a very monumental location that going in with little knowledge would of not been enough. Hearing Dr. Rock talk about the stories being the colosseum and in such detail brought the place to life for me. While standing at the site, listening to her talk I could imagine Nero’s garden how it was destroy/covered up to become a place to watch fights and shows. Than later on with historians uncovering it and getting to see where the gardens were and the maze once there, was just made it all worth coming in person to see. All in all, seeing the location it self, as a whole and not behind glass like museum parts or in pictures made the viewing for me more worth my wild. Being able to walk around the whole colosseum, taking my own pictures from all angles, was better than any google search.

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.