In antiquity the Colosseum was not known by that name; the Romans called it the Anfitheatre Flavia. It was only in the early middle ages that it became known as the Colosseum from a gigantic statue in bronze of Nero found nearby the anfitheatre. It was inaugurated in the year 80 a.d. with games, gladiator compititions and animal spectacles that lasted more than 100 days. All were completely involved in these celebrations, from the most important public figures to humble slaves.
The Roman Forum was the political and economic centre of ancient Rome. In the times of Romulus and Remus the area of the forum was marshland and it was the Etruscans who drained the land and built the Cloaca Maxima. In later years the most important public and commemorative monuments and temples were built there. Triumphal marches filed along the Via Sacra (Holy Way) on their way to the Temple of Jupiter on the Capitoline Hill.
The Capitoline Hill, the smallest of the seven hills of Rome was an area exclusively dedicated to the temples. According to the chronicles the temple of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva was initiated by the Etruscan kings and inaugurataed in the year 509 b.c. on the first day of Roman Republic.
It was in the Renaissance that Rome once more became a cultural and artistic centre thanks to the popes who brought the greatest artists of the time and commissioned the works of art we enjoy today. The present aspect of the Capitoline Hill was created by Michelangelo in 1536 and inspite of its modest proportions it transmits an impression of grandeur and harmony. The square is enclosed by the famous Capitoline museum, considerated to be the world’s first museum. The statue of Mark Aurelio, the only surviving equestrian statue from antiquity, dominates the centre of the square.
Let youself be drawn back to Roman times and experience how people lived and survived in the city.