Roman Apartment House

Nestled against the west side of the monument to Victor Emmanuel II in Piazza Venezia is the site of an ancient Roman insula, or apartment house. Excavated in the early 20th century, it is possible to identify all five floors of this 2nd century AD building that contained the apartments for about 380 people.

Two levels below the current street level are visible, exposing original Roman street. The street level of the building contained shops. The apartments of the store keepers were on the floor above. Further up you can identify a bell tower from the medieval church of Saint Biago. In the 17th century another church (dedicated to St. Rita) was built on top of everything. This church was removed in 1927 during the excavations.

Saturday Field Trip

Last Saturday I took students from my class on an "optional" field trip. We visited the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II, the king who was responsible for the unification of Italy.We climbed 124 steps in front of the Church of Santa Maria in Aracoeli to reach a glass elevator that took us to the top of the monument.

When this equestrian statue was completed there was a celebration with 20 people sitting down to lunch inside the horse.

SPQR: Flag pole in Piazza Venezia

Last week I saw SPQR on flag poles in Piazza Venezia.

Senatus Populusque Romanus

"The Senate and the People of Rome"

It originally referred to the government of the ancient Roman Republic, and used as an official signature, appearing on coins, civic inscriptions, and on the standards of the Roman legions. Today, SPQR is the motto of the city of Rome and appears in the city's coat of arms, the city's civic buildings, manhole covers, billboards and even on flag poles!

September 11th

Last year Rome erected a memorial to the victims of 9/11, using two ancient columns in a small rose garden at the east end of the Circus Maximus.

This is the memorial tablet in front of the columns

This view also shows the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

SPQR: September 10

Today I noticed a new plaque with SPQR near the Colosseum.

It commemorates the victory of Abebe Bikila, the Ethiopian Marathon winner of the XVII Olympiad, held in Rome 50 years ago. The world watched as this champion ran barefoot through the streets of Rome.

Senatus Populusque Romanus

"The Senate and the People of Rome"

It originally referred to the government of the ancient Roman Republic, and used as an official signature, appearing on coins, civic inscriptions, and on the standards of the Roman legions. Today, SPQR is the motto of the city of Rome and appears in the city's coat of arms, the city's civic buildings, manhole covers, billboards and even on commemorative plaques!