Ancient Rome

2000 year old shopping mall.

Marcus Aurelius' column in Piazza Colonna. Off vertical as shown by the rope suspended from the top. This was caused by a number of earthquakes over the years.

A copy of an Etruscan bronze from the 5th century BC which represents the mythical origins of Rome. Romulus and Remus were added much later. This one stands outside the Capitoline museums in Rome. The original is inside.

Dedication at the bottom of the obelisk in the Piazza di Montecitorio in Rome. IMP CAES DIVI F AVGVSTVS PONTIFEX MAXIMUS IMP XII COS XI TRIB POT XIV AEGVPTO IN POTESTATEM POPVLI ROMANI REDACTA SOLI DONVM DEDIT (Imperator, Caesar, son of the deified Julius, Augustus, chief priest, proclaimed imperator for the twelfth time, consul for the eleventh time, holding tribunician power for the fourteenth time, having subdued Egypt to the power of the Roman people, gave this gift to the sun).

Obelisk of Montecitorio - brought from Heliopolis by the Emperor Augustus, he used it as part of a large sundial set up in the Campus Martius in Rome.

Copy of an equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. The original is inside the Capitoline Museum.

Situated in the Campidoglio this is a one half of a pair of statues of Castor and Pollux.

Situated in the Campidoglio this is a one half of a pair of statues of Castor and Pollux.

Rome.

The first of the Imperial Fora started by Julius Caesar.

Julius Caesar's Forum. The columns of the Temple of Venus Genetrix are left of centre. Rome, Italy.

The columns of the Temple of Venus Genetrix are on the right of the picture.

The steps lead up to the temple of Mars Ultor (Mars the avenger) in the Forum of Augustus. Erected by Emperor Augustus to commemorate the defeat of Julius Caesar's assasins (including Brutus and Cassius) at Philippi in 42BC.

Detail from the Forum of Nerva, Rome. Initiated by Domitian but, after his death, was inaugurated by his successor, Nerva, who gave his own name to it. The Forum of Nerva is also known as the Transitional Forum, because it worked as an access way between the Temple of Peace and the Forum of Augustus. Rome, April 2006.

The mausoleum of Emperor Augustus who died in August 14AD. His ashes were interred here, later also those of members of his family.

Gladiator training school. It had an underground passage leading directly into the Colosseum.

Gladiator training school. It had an underground passage leading directly into the Colosseum.