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"Route: Ancient And Imperial Rome"

When most people think of Rome, they think of the eternal city's ancient centre, the ruins that have been immortalised in countless images. No other city in the world has as complete an archaeological field in its urban centre as Rome. Nestled between underground stations, café terraces and the by now infamous, incessant Roman traffic are monuments like the Coliseum, the Arch of Constantine and the Forums, historical treasures that still guard many secrets.

For some people the route through the ruins of Rome might offer nothing more than myriad piles of deteriorating stones. Others, however, whose appreciation for history is greater, consider this route to be the most essential Roman experience, a chance to see the remnants of an empire that once decided the fate of half the world, remnants that tell the story of Roman city life more than 2,000 years ago. Before tackling this route, it is best to prepare for this historical journey by setting the scene and picturing the era of gladiators, emperors, slaves, nobles and plebeians.

The best place to start this walking tour is at the Circo Massimo, which now bears little resemblance to its past incarnation. Consisting of little more than a long, rectangular expanse of earth, grass and a few scattered trees, it is difficult to imagine the sporting events that once took place here. Today it serves as a resting place for tourists, a hang-out for local youth and a stage for spontaneous musical performances, all taking advantage of this quiet spot set apart from the constant hum of traffic.

Crossing the Piazza di Porta Capena and heading up Via de San Gregorio, you reach the heart of Ancient Rome. Rising up at the end of the avenue are Arch of Constantine and the Coliseum, two landmarks that remain impressive despite the passing of time. The Coliseum was long the symbol of imperial power, both for its monumental grandeur and social connotations; it was a place where some went to be entertained and others went to die. Unfortunately, the Coliseum no longer possesses its original splendour, having suffered years of neglect. It lay almost forgotten for a long time and was even used as a quarry, its stones lifted to construct new buildings. The sheer size of it, however, has not been diminished. Despite having been depicted in countless images, the Coliseum never fails to impress, its monumental proportions rising up majestically and towering over its surroundings. During the day it is almost impossible to avoid long lines for the chance to visit its interior. The most magical time, however, is the evening. At sunset, when the crowds die down, the view on to the monument is at its most beautiful. Perhaps there are better sunsets to be found elsewhere in Rome, but none that evoke this much history.
The Via dei Fori Imperiali, which begins next to the Coliseum, leads to the main sections of the Forums. The large panels along the left side of the road explain the evolution of the Roman Empire throughout the centuries. Spreading out on either side of the road are the two Forums, the Roman Forum and the Imperial Forum, which take visitors back in time and offer a glimpse into what daily life was like during the Roman era. The ruins still showcase several well-preserved temples, like the Tempio di Antonino i Faustina, and the perfect, sculptural precision of the Colonna Traiana (Trajan Column).

Surrounding the Piazza Venezia and stretching down to the river is the Teatro di Marcello, which lies immediately in front of the columns dedicated to Apollo. This route comes to an end here, a route that is perhaps of foremost importance if one is to gain an understanding of how this historic city evolved over time.