- Travelling to: Rome, Italy!
- much will be said here about Travelling and Travellers, by me and by you . .
- some of which will have been said before, much of it will be new.
- our aim is to create a truly exhaustive travel information site, catering for any aspect of travel.
- today let's have a look at Rome and what it has to offer . . .
Why People Should Spend More Time in Rome.
by: Stefano Sandano
Every year the number of customers visiting Rome increases of 5% and there are always more historical sights to see. This year has we had the chance to attend the inauguration of the Ara Pacis which remained closed for restorations under the supervision of the architect Richard Meier.
Few people know that booking an hotel close to the spanish steps or to trevi Fountain they can see not only the Ara pacis itself but also the Tomb of the emperor Augustus which is located in Piazza Augusto imperatore.
The Ara Pacis of Rome was built in the area of the "Campo Marzio", close to the "via Flaminia", during the four years going from 13 to 9 BC, to celebrate the victories of Augustus in the western provinces of the roman Empire.
 Ara Pacis - (Altar of Peace) |
The same Augustus indicated on the work "Res gestae divi Augusti" (Achievements of the divine Augustus) the rituals and the scopes that had led the Senate to build the commemorative altar, which during a large part of the antiquity, as a direct witness of the link between monument and personality, was known as "Ara Pacis Augustae":
"When I came back to Rome from Spain and Gaul ... once I had successfully closed the enterprises in these provinces, the Senate decided that for my return the "ara della Pace Augusta" should be consecrated in the "Campo Marzio" and I agreed that in this place the law officers, the priests and the vestal virgins could celebrate an annual sacrifice".
The area of the "Ara Pacis" is limited by a rectangular fence in marble with several ornaments and a low relief with a width of approximately 33 feet and a length of just 3 feet.
The central altar, where were taking place the ritual sacrifices, can be reached through two gates located at the center of the shortest sides of the fence and is placed in an higher position with respect to the perimeter of the structure.
The main artistic interest of the "Ara Pacis" is given by the low relief organised in overlap borders and panels that entirely recover the internal and external surface of the enclosure and part of the central altar.
The celebrative scope of the work is directly testified by the presence of the emperor Augustus and of Agrippa, general of the roman navy and son in law of the first emperor, among the represented persons, but also, on the west side, by the scenes dedicated to Aeneas, considered the ancestor of the julio-claudian family to whom the same August was belonging to, and by those remembering the divine origin of Rome with the she-wolf nursing the twins Romulus and Remus under the eye of their father, the god Mars.
The decorations of the "Ara Pacis" are completed by ornaments of naturalistic character, with low relief of plants and small animals and the "Tellus" (the Earth), the divinity representing the personification of peace and prosperity that the empire of Rome was getting prepared to live thanks to the end of the civil wars.
According to the study of some documents, it is considered that the original orientation of the work had been chosen also in relation to the big sundial called "Horologium" that was already surging in the "Campo Marzio", and which gnomon, nowadays located in "piazza di Montecitorio" and known as the obelisk of the Pharao Psammetico II, was projecting the own shadow exactly at the centre of the altar every September 23rd, date of birth of the emperor Augustus.
About The Author
Stefano Sandano is an archaeologist and tour guide of Rome and if you want to know more about Rome you can visit www.romanguide.com.
Additional resources for Information about Rome and Italy:
 rome italy - Google News Google News Robinson keeps faith in his side despite result in Rome - Independent Posted on 10 Mar 2010 at 12:00am BBC News Robinson keeps faith in his side despite result in Rome Independent They led until the 79th minute against Wales in Cardiff and until the 67th minute against Italy in Rome. Now the challenge for Scotland is ... Andy Robinson to stick with bulk of team from RomeScotsman De Luca handed recallSkySports Scotland recall De Luca for Calcutta Cup clashAFP BBC News -Scotland Courier -The Press Association all 170 news articles » INTERVIEW-Rugby-Roma welcome Celtic move despite missing out - Reuters UK Posted on 9 Mar 2010 at 1:09pm Telegraph.co.uk INTERVIEW-Rugby-Roma welcome Celtic move despite missing out Reuters UK The Italian rugby federation hopes the move will make Italy's national side more competitive and Roma coach Carlo Pratichetti agrees with the aim even ... Scots have most to fear from Italian arrival in Magners Leaguestv.tv Two Italians teams to join Celtic League next seasonReuters South Africa Two Italian teams to join MagnersBBC Sport all 109 news articles » Andy Robinson's Scotland revolution in danger of an early demise - The Guardian Posted on 1 Mar 2010 at 12:06am ABC Online Andy Robinson's Scotland revolution in danger of an early demise The Guardian Such solace was harder to come by in Rome. Italy produced an outstanding defensive performance but the statistics still show that Scotland won the ball 22 ... Italy beat Scotland for first 6 Nations win in 2 yearsAFP Scotland suffer Rome lossSportbox Irish eyes are smiling, and Italians are celebratingSydney Morning Herald Bangkok Post -Daily Mail -Telegraph.co.uk all 433 news articles » Lawyer: Leak of sex claims against Italian official is 'shameful' - CNN Inter... Posted on 6 Mar 2010 at 3:16pm CNN International Lawyer: Leak of sex claims against Italian official is 'shameful' CNN International Rome, Italy (CNN) -- Reports that an Italian government official accused of financial corruption allegedly used a Vatican choir singer to arrange gay ... Italian Officials arrested of awarding business contracts in exchange for ...Entertainment and Showbiz! Italy Corruption Probe Exposes Liaisons Of Vatican Escort With MenAHN | All Headline News Vatican Enmeshed in Gay Sex AllegationsNew York Times Montreal Gazette -The Guardian -On Top Magazine all 178 news articles » Bergamasco: Fans can lift Italy to glory - The Press Association Posted on 13 Feb 2010 at 9:25am BBC Sport Bergamasco: Fans can lift Italy to glory The Press Association ... to get behind his side as they hunt a shock win over England in Sunday's RBS 6 Nations clash in Rome. Italy have never beaten England in 15 attempts, ... Italy v EnglandBBC Sport England No8 Nick Easter ready for Rome with rough guideThe Guardian Six Nations 2010: England wing Mark Cueto focuses on positives from Italy winTelegraph.co.uk Times Online -Daily Mail -The Sun all 522 news articles » Comedy of Errors Damages Italy's Democratic Institutions - Huffington Post (b... Posted on 9 Mar 2010 at 3:01pm UKMedix Health News Comedy of Errors Damages Italy's Democratic Institutions Huffington Post (blog) In Lazio, the region surrounding Rome, the officer in charge for registering the candidates for the upcoming elections for Silvio berlusconi's party failed ... Italy court rejects Berlusconi govt ballot appealMalaysia Star Italy: migrant workers strike!Workers' Liberty Italy Broadcaster Bans Political Talk Shows ahead of Regional ElectionsInternational Press Institute (press release) France24 -The Malaysian Insider -UKMedix Health News all 17 news articles » Milan and Roma square off in top-three clash - Sports Network Posted on 5 Mar 2010 at 8:26pm Earthtimes (press release) Milan and Roma square off in top-three clash Sports Network Rome, Italy (Sports Network) - Serie A title hopefuls AC Milan and Roma will square off in the capital on Saturday in a game that features two of Italy's ... Calcio Debate: Roma v Milan - The Key Personal BattlesGoal.com Two will become one when Roma host MilanAFP Roma v AC Milan ? Preview ? 6 March 2010Soccerlens Reuters South Africa -ESPN -The Sport Review all 107 news articles » Well-wishers greet Archbishop of Hanoi's arrival in Rome for medical treatmen... Posted on 9 Mar 2010 at 10:01am Catholic News Agency Well-wishers greet Archbishop of Hanoi's arrival in Rome for medical treatment Catholic News Agency Rome, Italy, Mar 9, 2010 / 04:23 am (CNA).- Archbishop of Hanoi Joseph Ngo Quang Kiet arrived in Rome on March 5 for medical treatment for chronic insomnia ... and more » Iran's Rome Embassy demands visit with jailed reporter - Press TV Posted on 7 Mar 2010 at 9:32am Reuters Iran's Rome Embassy demands visit with jailed reporter Press TV The Iranian Embassy in Rome has made a request to visit Hamid Masoumi-Nejad, a veteran Iranian reporter jailed in Italy on charges of arms trafficking. ... Italy: Arrests over Iranian arms traffickingCNN Rome, Tehran trade accusations after arrestsReuters Iran warns Italy over journalist's detention: reportWashington Post Financial Times -AFP -eTaiwan News all 72 news articles » Italy Opposition Protest For Second Day Over Decree - New York Times Posted on 7 Mar 2010 at 4:54pm Times Online Italy Opposition Protest For Second Day Over Decree New York Times By REUTERS ROME (Reuters) - Italian opposition groups protested for a second day on Sunday over a decree to reinstate government candidates for regional ... Italy's cabinet passes decree over election chaosReuters Italian govt's approval rating slips on ballot chaosReuters India Berlusconi's 'amateur' party protests against election exclusionFrance24 Oneindia -Cosmetic Dentistry Guide (press release) -U.S. Daily all 67 news articles » Thank you for visiting SimplyTravels.com, - have a Nice Day and come back soon! |
