Today was our only planned tour in Rome, and we were ready at the local bus stop by 9:15. We were provided with a sticker and an ear-piece with pocket controller, and then we waited till 9:55 for the bus, but we moved fairly quickly.
In C2-3, Romans favoured cremations, and burials were not allowed within the city walls. Christians preferred burials, so they were forced to do these out of town. The area to the south west was sandstone, and easy to dig, so there are a number catacomb complexes around here. They are often 2 or 3 levels deep, and each level can contain 6 or more burial niches carved into the sides of the tunnels. After body was deposited into the niche, it was sealed with a plaque with a name to identify the person.
We went for a short drive next along the Appian Way, the main Roman road from Brindisi 62km to the forum which was built in 312BC. It has been covered with Renaissance cobbled stone, but a bit further on it still has the original Roman paving. It is still used by cars, but the bus had to leave us and go around another way while we walked.
We then drove a bit further to an original Roman aqueduct, started by Caligula in AD38, and finished by Claudius in AD52. It was 69km long, and ultimately went to the Palatine Hill, and helped supply all of ancient Rome. The aqueduct was topped with a pressured pipe, which enabled the water to run uphill for short distances where necessary.
St Peter's at the Vatican just visible on the horizon.
There was heavy traffic on the way home, but we eventually made it back.
The basilica of St Giovanni in Laterano
Pretty pasta in our local mini-market.
We had lunch, a nanna-nap, and then finished computers and packing for the morning move.
No comments:
Post a Comment