After a very pleasant breakfast in the hotel garden we set off on foot for the Colosseum, stopping on the way to ask directions from a passerby.
Way to the Colosseum, just up there sir...
Reaching it we purchased tickets and a tour from a very nice young lady and were introduced to our guide Andrea. He was very knowledgable including how to get in without waiting in the 45 minute queue.
here is Sue hanging on Andrea's every word.......
Wow - what a stunning place
There is only one way to get to the top and that is by climbing stairs, but once you get there... amazing !
Andrea had a interesting item, the walls you see in the middle are actually a later addition. Originally there were wooden walls on which was a wooden floor, on top of this was spread sand, to soak up the blood. The word arena actually means sand and this is where we get one of our words for stadiums.
The floor and the walls could be removed and the whole centre area filled with water to a depth of 30 feet, they would then re-enacted famous naval battles or stage their own, these were not for the faint hearted as they were often to the death and sailors would drown and the boats sink.
The problem is that once you get to the top you have to descend and the steps are steep and slope down which makes progress difficult.
Sue had bought some peaches from a local shop, this was a very good move as the day was very hot and thirsty. Sue can be seen feasting.........
We found some interesting murals which showed the life and times of one the emperors. Numptius I.
He was originally, as you can see from the first mural, a common centurion called Twinnius Minimus. He like Adolf Hitler, rose through the ranks to become Emperor Numptius. Unfortunately he was the last of his line and the Roman Empire thus declined. This is despite what you have read in the history books about lead poisoning being the main cause. It was in fact due in total to Emperor Numptius and his liking for the strong drink.....
on the way back we stumbled across a monstrance shop and nuns outfitters......
also on our meander to the hotel we came across Piazza Navona, we found out this is a must see place and will return for a longer visit, including food.....
Here are two lads enjoying a beer, however the one on the left bears an uncanny resemblance to Emperor Numptius and has some of his traits, particularly strong drink...
To end the day, happy hour at the Hotel Columbus in the garden to make merry and blog !
and finally, the Roman version of "Underneath the Arches" by Bud Bate and Chesney Twinn
(google it if your too young , Flanegan and Allan)
