My Post-Sabbatical Year(s) in Asia (or wherever): 04-22: Colosseum and Forum

Today was a really good day. first, we had the best meals so far in Italy, both breakfast and dinner. Secondly, I had been waiting three weeks to go to the Colosseum and the Forum, and neither place let me down. We spent an hour in the Colosseum and 5 hours in the Forum.

Food: Natan found both places on lists of best bakeries and best pasta. For breakfast we went to Antico Forno Roscioli, where we ate pizza, flat bread and a pastrami sandwich.

Then for dinner, on a number of best pasta restaurant lists, Natan found Da Enzo. We ate fried artichoke, burrata with tomatoes and basil, and a number of pasta dishes. Every dish was delicioso (unfortunately, I forgot to take photos of the food). They opened at 6:30pm (a little early for an Italian restaurant), so we decided to get there a little early, and there was already a line down the street. It looked like there was no way that we would be seated, but a waiter came by taking drink ordered, and assured us that we would, and he was correct, but just barely. We got the last table!

The Colosseum:

The word comes from the ancient Greek word "kolossos", meaning large statue or giant, and it is. It is the largest ancient Amphitheater ever built and is still the largest standing amphitheater in the world. Construction began under Emperor Vespasian in 72 CE and was completed under Titus, his successor, in 80 CE. It could hold between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators, and was used for gladiatorial contests, animal hunts, executions, and famous battle reenactments. It is listed as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Constructions was funded by spoils taken from the Jewish Temple after the first Jewish-Roman was of 70 CE. Much of the work carried out to built this massive building was done by slaves.

The Roman Forum:

The Forum was the center of day-to-day life in Rome. It was the site for processions, elections, public speeches, criminal trials, and gladiatorial matches. It was the center for commercial and legal affairs. It contained temples, shrines, statues, monuments, and palaces. The term “Capital Hill” comes from the Roman Forum.