| For 3,000 years Rome has stood at the forefront | | | | Hundreds of thousands of men and beasts were |
| of civilisation. The might of the Roman Empire | | | | slaughtered during the course of these Roman |
| brought great wealth and prosperity to the city | | | | games. The butchery continued mercilessly until |
| and its allies. Rome became a treasure trove of | | | | these particular blood sports were outlawed in 523 |
| extravagant architecture and monuments. | | | | AD. |
| As fortune smiled down on Rome, their riches | | | | The communities of the Empire held the Roman |
| established communities endowed with ornamental | | | | gods in high esteem; religion played a significant |
| landmarks, many of which stand to this day. | | | | part in the lives of the Romans and homage was |
| At the core of the once mighty Empire, The | | | | paid frequently to those in higher places. |
| Roman Forum was the heart and soul of | | | | The Pantheon was built as a temple to the gods. |
| government. Originally a cemetery, the Forum | | | | The original was destroyed by fire in the 1st |
| grew with the Empire and was the nucleus of | | | | century BC resulting in dismay amongst the |
| everyday life. Aristocracy would socialise and | | | | communities. |
| decide the course of history during lavish | | | | During the early part of the 2nd century AD, |
| banquets, drinking their wine and gorging on the | | | | Emperor Hadrian took it upon himself to rebuild |
| luscious food. | | | | the monument and provide his people once more |
| At the centre of the Forum is the Temple to | | | | with a pathway to the gods. Hadrian was an |
| Julius Caesar built by Augustus, his adopted son | | | | amateur architect and completed the new temple |
| and first Roman Emperor. The fresh flowers | | | | in 125 AD. |
| signify the exact spot where Caesar was | | | | Two mammoth doors, like sentinels standing |
| cremated. | | | | before the path to the gods guard the entrance |
| The Colosseum is undoubtedly the most | | | | to the temple. The doors were extensively |
| recognisable of all ancient Rome's landmarks. Built | | | | restored during the 17th century, raising doubts |
| by Jewish slaves, the amphitheatre was | | | | whether they can ever again be classed as |
| synonymous with blood sports. | | | | original. |
| Opened by Emperor Titus in 80 AD, the imperial | | | | Once inside, the unexpected scale of the interior is |
| thirst for bloodshed was insatiable. Gladiators | | | | awe-inspiring. Marble panels grace the walls and |
| became infamous overnight as battles between | | | | floors; remarkably, half of the wall panels are |
| man and beast caught the imagination of the | | | | from the original build nearly 2,000 years ago. |
| Roman public. | | | | |