Arch of Titus

During the reign of the Flavian dynasty in the Rome were built most prominent architectural monuments.

The writer of the ancient Rome Aelius Aristides (117-180) left these words filled with admiration about the city: “Like strong man lifts others and bears them on his shoulders, so Rome soars over the other cities and bears the civilization to the divine height”

Really, in the second century Rome even surpassed in its grandeur such cities as Athens and Alexandria.

One of the most popular types of buildings in the Rome were Arches of Triumph which were built to commemorate the victories of the Roman weapon. These buildings were built not only in Rome; they also erected in the Roman provinces, to remind to the locals the strength of the Roman army.

Arch of Titus. Photo provided by the Alexander Z under CC BY 3.0 license

Arch of Titus has been built in the 81 to commemorate Roman victory in The Jewish War. Arch was built from the white marble which was delivered from the Greece. At first glimpse the structure of the Arch is too plain but the ideal proportions of the Arch make it the best one in the Rome. Arch was topped with the statue of Titus which was shown in the image of God. Also Arch has the inscription devoted to the Titus and his father Emperor Vespasian.

Middle part of the Arch adorned by the statue of the Victory with the wreaths. On the inner parts of the Arch we can see relieves which show triumph of the Titus. It’s very precious for historians and for those who interested in the Roman history because they depict the scenes of the ordinary life.

Arch of Titus. Gaspar van Wittel

On the relieves we can see the weapons of the legionaries, their garments and of course their trophies. Romans took a lot of trophies on that war. They sacked Jerusalem and brought a lot of citizens of that city as their prisoner. Of course they also brought a lot of the gold to the city. They used the slavery work of their prisoners and the gold to build famous Colosseum and other building in the Rome.

In the Middle Ages the Arch of Titus was included into the defensive system of the Rome. Probably the Arch has been used as the city gate. In the 1821 the Arch was refurbished (by that time it was in the poor conditions) by the Pope Pius the Seventh.

Arch of Titus was used as the general model for many Arches in the Europe. For example, it was used as model to build Arch of Triumph in Paris in the 1806.

Arch of Titus. Photo provided by the Sebastian Bergmann under CC BY 3.0 license

Arch of Titus. Photo provided by the MiguelHermoso under CC BY 3.0 license

Arch of Titus. Photo provided by the Steerpike under CC BY 3.0 license

Castel Sant’Angelo

The Castel Sant’Angelo originates from 136 when Emperor Hadrian has decided to build the mausoleum for themselves and for his inheritors. This mausoleum would be the greatest building in the Rome and had to surpass the famous Altar of Augustan Peace.

Hadrian started the realization of his plans when he come back to the Rome after a long trip over the Roman Empire. But he not finished the construction and the mausoleum has been built by his successor.

The mausoleum had a shapes of the round tower topped with Hadrian’s statue on the roof. This statue had enormous sizes. On this statue Hadrian drove the chariot with four horses. As one ancient author wrote the man could crept through the eyes of these horses. Today only the head of Hadrian has been preserved from the statue which you can see now at the Vatican’s museum.

Castel Sant’Angelo. Photo provided by the MarkusMark under CC BY 3.0 license

A few Romans Emperors were buried at the Mausoleum. Among them such names as Commodus or Marcus Aurelius. The last one was the Septimius Severus and after him the Mausoleum was closed for a few centuries.

The Mausoleum was untouched till the 400 year when Emperor Honorius decided to include it into the defensive system of Rome and turned Mausoleum to the fortress.

In 410, when Rome was attacked by the Visigoths, Roman soldiers used decorative elements of Mausoleum as missiles. They broke the statues and threw its pieces to the enemies. But these deeds were incomplete to save the Rome. The Visigoths got the city and sacked it during the three days. Of course they got all valuable things from the Mausoleum of Hadrian.

Castel Sant’Angelo. Photo provided by the Kiss Tamás under CC BY 3.0 license

In the Middle Ages the Mausoleum continued used as the fortress. It was turbulent times and Popes often found refuge there. They even built the special passage between their residence in the Vatican and the fortress. And this passage was so wide so they even could use the wagon to reach the refuge.

In the 1379, during the internal insurgency in Rome, the fortress was occupied by the army of the Robert of Geneva who tried to escape here from the people's rampage. After the long resistance from the Robert’s side, rebels took the fortress and partly demolished it. The slabs which covered the fortress’s surface were took out and then used to pave the streets of the Rome.

I think it’s time to mention how the Mausoleum of Hadrian got its modern name – the Castel Sant’Angelo. It happened in the end of the 6-th century when the plague raged in Rome. The Pope Gregory the Great organized procession over the city and plead the God to stop the epidemic. When procession walked past the castle the Pope heard how the angels sang. He treated it as a good sign, and really, the plague retreated from the city.

Castel Sant’Angelo. Photo provided by the Kevin Chan under CC BY 3.0 license

Since the castle become known as the Castel Sant’Angelo. Popes Nicholas V and Alexander VI applied a lot of their effort and energy to fortify castle in the 15 century. For example, Alexander VI built additional towers around the castle and the front yard. Also in the castle were built the treasury, Pope’s rooms, depots for food and water and a lot of the supplementary buildings.

The Castel Sant’Angelo has also the dismal fame. It was the Pope’s jail and sometimes the prisoners were executed just inside of the castle. In those days the sad ringtone of the bells could be heard in the Rome. The most famous prisoners of the castle are Galileo Galilei, Benvenuto Cellini and Count Cagliostro.

Today the Castel Sant’Angelo is a museum were you can see a lot of the showpieces dedicated to the medieval Rome. Also in the museum there is a nice collection of the arts.

Castel Sant’Angelo. Photo provided by the Gabriel Juan Henry under CC BY 3.0 license

Altar of Augustan Peace

Altar of Augustan Peace in Rome – is a unique museum. The main showpiece of the museum - is a refurbished ancient building which has been built between the 13 and 9 BC to commemorate come back of Augustus to the Rome from Gallia and Spain.

This event had a great impact to the further flow of the history. Roman Peace was established and “golden era” of Rome was starting then. It was the era of peace in Rome and territories which were controlled by the city. So, that is why the building was called as Altar of Augustan Peace.

The front of the Altar of Augustan Peace. Photo provided by the Chris Nas under CC BY 3.0 license

The building has the great artistic importance and reckoned as the greatest example of the Roman architecture and sculpture. It has been built at the Field of Mars near the Via Flaminia road and Tiber.

The proximity to the river partly saved the building from complete destruction. At one time, the Altar of the Augustan Peace was covered by the river's sludge which served as a nice element for its preservation. It was simply elapsed from the historical memory and survived in the turbulent times of the Middle Ages.

The back of the Altar of Augustan Peace. Photo provided by the Quinok under CC BY 3.0 license

Altar has been discovered at 1568. But the finical and careful research of the building has been conducted in the 19 century, and the complete refurbishment of the building was finished in the 1930-years.

The building restoration has been done by the order of the Benito Mussolini who tried to restore the glory of ancient Rome in Italy and paid a lot attention to the restoration of the Roman buildings over the country.

Relief of the Altar of Augustan Peace. Photo provided by the Manfred Heyde under CC BY 3.0 license

The museum works daily (except Monday) from 9 a.m. till 7 p.m. The adult ticket costs 8,50 euro. The closest metro station of the museum is Flaminio (Line B)

Augustus. Photo provided by the Manfred G.dallorto under CC BY 3.0 license

Santa Maria sopra Minerva

After took in the Pantheon, it’s worth to visit the Santa Maria sopra Minerva Square with big Egyptian obelisk which was set here by Bernini. Bernini set this obelisk on the elephant’s back so this place often called as “Elephant’s Square”.

The square got its name in honor of the Santa Maria sopra Minerva church, the only one Gothic church in the Rome. Inside of this church you can see a lot of Renaissance arts but the main is the “The Risen Christ” Michelangelo. (Frankly speaking his pupils have spoiled his work a little after his death)

Santa Maria sopra Minerva. Photo provided by the Jean-Christophe BENOIST under CC BY 3.0 license

The church was a burial place for some Popes. So you can see inside the tombs of the famous people. Among them such names as Paul VI who was the enemy of the Protestants in the fullness of time, Leo the Tenth and Clement the Seventh who were the backers of arts in the times of the Renaissance. And near their tomb you can see the shrine of the Catherine of Siena who returned the Pope’s throne from the Avignon to Rome.

Santa Maria sopra Minerva - Main Vault. Photo provided by the MatthiasKabel under CC BY 3.0 license

In other words, here you can find the names which exerted to the European policy tremendously. And it’s not wonder that the most famous artists of the Renaissance were involved to adorn its exterior.

For example, on the side chapels there are frescoes by Perugino and sculptures by Bernini.

Santa Maria sopra Minerva has known not only as the temple of arts. The church has also the sad fame. It’s the place were Galileo has been interrogated by Inquisition. And here the great scientist proclaimed his famous “And still it moves”!!!

Santa Maria sopra Minerva Carafa Chapel. Photo provided by the Sailko under CC BY 3.0 license

Roman Pantheon

Roman Pantheon originates from 27 B.C. Marcus Agrippa who was the son in law of Augustus built it to commemorate the victory in the Battle of Actium.

Agrippa built the Pantheon for own money and intended to dedicate the temple to the Augustus. But Augustus was the modest person. He rejected Agrippa proposition and temple was dedicated to the all gods of ancient Rome. This is the meaning of the word “Pantheon”. It has the Greek roots and from Greek could be translated as “dedicated to all the gods”.

Roman Pantheon. Photo provided by the Greg Willis from Denver, CO, usa under CC BY 2.0 license

To be more exact Pantheon in Rome was dedicated to the seven main gods of Rome whose statues were established inside of the temple.

First Pantheon not stood a long time. A hundred years later it was demolished by the lightning strike. In 118 Emperor Hadrian (who reigned in Rome) decided to refurbish Pantheon and assigned this work to his architect Apollodorus of Damascus. From the previous temple Apollodorus left only columns in front of the building. He built a big hall and topped it with a big golden dome which in the Middle Ages seemed unrepeatable for the medieval people.

We could say that the current view of the Pantheon was given to the building thanks to the Hadrian and Apollodorus.

Roman Pantheon - View from the right side. Photo provided by the Clayton Tang under CC BY 3.0 license

Hadrian and Apollodorus paid their respect to the first creator of the Roman Pantheon. They left the name of Agrippa at the building façade. That is why during a long period of the time people thought that the current Pantheon has been built by the Agrippa.

Ancient temples usually were not used for worship. Of course, the temple was the “house of the god” but people did their services outside of the temples. In the temples were stored the spoils, gifts and important documents. Usually ordinary people were not allowed to pass inside of the temple.

Roman Pantheon had a different purpose. By that building Hadrian intended to show to the world the greatness and the inviolability of the Roman Empire. And we need to admit that he did it successfully.

Roman Pantheon - Portico. Photo provided by the Jensens under CC BY 3.0 license

Pantheon in Rome does not have luxuriant interior but its dome never was surpassed by the best world architectures. The building does not have windows. But its interior is not gloomy and always has enough light. It’s possible thanks to the so-called “heavenly window” - a big hole in center of the dome. But this hole made so deliberately and cunningly that in the rainy days the rain never falls inside.

I think it’s worth mentioning the legend about the Parthenon rubbish which claims that the dome of the Roman Parthenon was built from the construction garbage. Also, according to the legend, Hadrian ordered to hide inside the dome his gold.

In the ancient time Parthenon’s dome glittered with its golden surface. In front of the main entrance was the big square with Triumph Arch in the center. Before to get into the temple every man passed through the Arch and paid in such way his respect to the gods.

Roman Pantheon - Interior. Photo provided by the Veronidae under CC BY 3.0 license

Roman Pantheon - is an only one untouched building of antiquity. Last Roman Emperor Theodicy First ordered to close the temple in the end of the 4th century. And for me it’s a little enigma how Pantheon was saved in those times.

After a two centuries Pantheon was converted into the Christian church and dedicated to the Our Lady. It saved the temple from the future destruction.

Pantheon always pulled the scrutiny from the scientists and artists. Michelangelo said that the Pantheon – is an angel’s creation and Rafael bequeathed to bury his inside.

Btw, I heard the version that in the 15 century Pantheon was used as the fortress and it was Raphael who insisted to turn the building into the church again. I can’t say that it’s true but I don’t have any doubts that Raphael played a big role in the history of the Pantheon.

Roman Pantheon - Dome. Photo provided by the Robertino65 under CC BY 3.0 license

The Raphael’s testament was completed and starting from the 1520 Roman Pantheon began to serve as the shrine for prominent people of Rome. Later this tradition was spread to other countries and now word Pantheon has additional meaning. It means – “the burial place for famous people”.

In the 17 century all gold was taken out from the Dome to adorn the St. Pater Basilica in Rome. This work was assigned to the Bernini and he felt guilty for it. To reimburse something to the building he built two towers in front of the Pantheon. I don’t know exactly why but those towers were named as “donkey’s towers” among the Romans. In the 1641 one of them was demolished.

Roman Pantheon at night. Photo provided by the Ramesh under CC BY 3.0 license

Today Roman Pantheon fronted to the small Column Square which gained its name thanks to the Egyptian obelisk which was transferred here from the former Field of Mars.

When you will visit the Pantheon don't forget that it’s a church so you should be dressed respectively and keep silence.