In fact in my final year of school our Latin teacher organized a Roman evening for us and I was Atalanta. We rented costumes and the “little ones” (who just started Secondary School had to serve us. Yes the Romans from those days were lying at the table when they were eating!)
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| A group photo of all the Latin scholars. I am sitting in the middle in the front row. |
So you can imagine my excitement when we finally arrived in Rome. I wanted to bring this ancient city to life. It was not to be….
There is very little left of the Rome as it was known in those days. Rome is a modern city and the ruins that are left are minimal. One of our excursions included a visit to the Palatine Hill.
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| Walking amongst the ruins |
We walked amongst the ruins and as the guide explained the history, I was shedding a tear or two. My life was in ruins…not quite, but you get the drift!
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| The Palatine ruins |
The Palatine hill overlooks the Roman Forum on the one side and the Circus Maximus on the other. The views overlooking these are beautiful. In ancient Rome this used the be the modern days “Beverley Hills” – the address for the rich and famous. Many of the Twelve Ceasars called the Palatine their home. One of them was Caligula, who was murdered in the tunnel “Cryptoporticus”. This tunnel is still standing.Others included Hortensius, Cicero, Catiline, Crassus, and Agrippa.
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| View from the Palatine Hill |
Many years ago skeptics believed that Romulus was a myth. In the romans mythology, Romulus and Remus were suckled by the famous she-wolf in a cave close to the Palatine Hill. This was also the place where the ancient Romans celebrated the festival of Lupercalia, honoring the saving of Romulus and Remus by the she-wolf. I remember a book that my grandmother had about myths and legends. It was one of my favourite books and I always asked to read it when I visited her.
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| Romulus and Remus suckled by the she-wolf. |
About a century ago Rome´s greatest archaeologist, Rodolfo Lanciani, excavated a site on the hill and remains of an Iron Age was discovered. This dated back to the 9th century BC and it supported the belief that Romulus, the founder of Rome, lived here.
In 2007 archaeologists discovered a sacred sanctuary dedicated to Romulus and Remus. It was found beneath the House of Augustus, near the Palatine Hill. This sanctuary is now being renovated and I am not sure when this project will be completed and available for the public to view.
While we were walking amongst the ruins we did see archaelogists working. Our guide told us that they are still in the process of discovering things. He also explained that the “new” Rome is built on other cities. City upon city!
You can easily combine a visit to the Colosseum and the Forum with a visit to the Palatine Hill. The buildings on the hill once included palaces of Augustus, Tiberius and Domitian, as well as other important Romans of the period, and a temple dedicated to Apollo.
- Address: Entrances at Piazza del Colosseo and Via di San Gregorio 30, Roman Forum, Rome, 00184
- Phone: 06/39967700
- Cost: €12 (combined ticket with the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Imperial Forums, if used within 2 days), €4.50 Roman Forum and Palatine Hill only
- Hours: Daily 8:30 -7:15 (6:15 last entrance)
- Metro: Colosseo
Visitor Tips: The main entrance of the Palatine Hill is where to go to buy tickets to the Colosseum when the line at the Colosseum is long. Audioguides and guided tours (in English, among other languages) for the Palatine Hill are available, just ask at the entrance. Guides may be useful to help you understand the ruins.
I could go back to Rome over and over and always find something new to see.
The pictures look absolutely stunning! And you certainly had great memory of that first picture there Nelieta! It's great to see that you shared a bit of history and some helpful info with us. But you had me felt envious again, my friend! I wish to see Rome too! Maybe, it will come true anytime sooner or later… Got to really visit this magnificent city..:) xoxoxo
what an enjoyable trip visiting Palatine, plus reading great book for your grandmother.i'm always amazed with Roman history,its legends and myth.your article has certainly refresh my fond and hopefully one day i would get d chance to visit rome and understand more of its history. thanks for d visit entry information,its great to make plan.
How I would love to have lived back then….Beautiful photosthank you for sharing with us Blessings Jessica
Though they are ruins they still are impressive especially the history we read to go with it.Cheers AF
hi NELIETA…well I live in Rome and am totally surprised of your description…There are so many people that share my love for this enchanting city.. "Rome is a world, but it would take years to become a true citizen of it."…ROMAN culture is greatly appreciated!..The ancient legend of Romulus and Remus is well known in any part of the world. Therefore I would like to thank you for all the love you put in this description of ROME ♥
Hi YogaSavy, I can just imagine. 3 days in Rome was not enough! There is still so much more that I would like to see.
Hi Cath, thank you.The photos were taken back in 2004 and is not the best quality. It was an amazing experience!
Hi Jorie, that was such a wonderful time in my life! We were a small group and had so much fun with a wonderful teacher who fuelled our imagination by transforming us to an ancient place. I really wish you would be able to go there very soon my friend!
What a beautiful city and what beautiful photos! I have to tell you that Roman mythology has always been a weakness of mine. How lucky you were to experience the ancient ruins firsthand.
Hi Maria, thank you so much for your evry kind words. I absolutely love Rome and although I only spent 3 days there I totally fell in love with it! I had a 8 hour stop-over in Rome 3 years ago but unfortunately I couldn´t explore the city because I didn´t have a visa! So sad but for sure it is not my last visit!Ps. Much love did go into this post and I am so happy that you appreciated it. There will be more to follow 🙂
Hi Jessy thank you for the visit. I will always remember this book! My grandmother was very strict when it came to books. You had to wash your hands and then sit at the table and read. She taught me great values and respect for books. I still love books and the smell. Glad you have enjoyed the blog entry 🙂
Hi Jessica, thank you for stopping by. I can just imagine what life must have been like…I don´t think it was always easy!
Hi Fernando-Alejandro, thank you for stopping by. Yes ruins or not, they are still beautiful!
Beautiful photos! And wow, you studied Latin! Impressive 🙂
Hi Pinay Travel Junkie, thank you! Yes I remember at school children teased us a lot and told us that we were studying a language that is dead. I enjoyed it very much and we had a lot of fun!
Rome was a strange place full of modern buzz with ancient history dotted around it. Modern Rome built on top of ancient Rome. Its a fascinating place and your story and photos brought back lots of memories.
Rome is one of my dream destination. I hope I can visit soon.
Hi Kerry-Ann, you are right. In one of my future entries I will explain my feelings about Rome and the Colosseum…that is another story. Glad I could take you on a trip down memory lane.
Hi EWR, thank you for stopping by. You will not be disappointed.
Hi AJ, I guess I was..lol!
It seems you were the star in your class photo. 🙂
How could I have missed this wonderful adventure in Rome??? You bring history to life with your words and photos. You capture the ambience of it all so magically. Bravo!
Hi Debra, thank you so much for your kind words! I do appreciate it, especially coming from a talented writer like yourself! Glad you have enjoyed my history lesson that accompanied my travelling adventure!
another informative post and awesome set of pictures, reading your blog is like going back in my history class, only this time, it is more fun 🙂
Thank you very much! Great to be able to add some spice to the history lesson 🙂
Hi Pinay Travel Junkie, thank you! Yes I remember at school children teased us a lot and told us that we were studying a language that is dead. I enjoyed it very much and we had a lot of fun!
Hi Debra, thank you so much for your kind words! I do appreciate it, especially coming from a talented writer like yourself! Glad you have enjoyed my history lesson that accompanied my travelling adventure!
Hi Jessica, thank you for stopping by. I can just imagine what life must have been like…I don´t think it was always easy!
Hi Jessy thank you for the visit. I will always remember this book! My grandmother was very strict when it came to books. You had to wash your hands and then sit at the table and read. She taught me great values and respect for books. I still love books and the smell. Glad you have enjoyed the blog entry 🙂
Hi Maria, thank you so much for your evry kind words. I absolutely love Rome and although I only spent 3 days there I totally fell in love with it! I had a 8 hour stop-over in Rome 3 years ago but unfortunately I couldn´t explore the city because I didn´t have a visa! So sad but for sure it is not my last visit!Ps. Much love did go into this post and I am so happy that you appreciated it. There will be more to follow 🙂
Hi Jorie, that was such a wonderful time in my life! We were a small group and had so much fun with a wonderful teacher who fuelled our imagination by transforming us to an ancient place. I really wish you would be able to go there very soon my friend!
Hi Cath, thank you.The photos were taken back in 2004 and is not the best quality. It was an amazing experience!
what an enjoyable trip visiting Palatine, plus reading great book for your grandmother.i'm always amazed with Roman history,its legends and myth.your article has certainly refresh my fond and hopefully one day i would get d chance to visit rome and understand more of its history. thanks for d visit entry information,its great to make plan.