Felsted Preparatory School Classics Department - learn about the future by studying the past

Tuesday, 23 October 2012

Day 3: Tuesday 23rd October



Many thanks to Elliott Howell, Will Barker, Bella Prior, Ed Yeatts and Luke Bury for Tuesday's blog.

After another early breakfast we were up and out, off to the Colosseum. On the way we saw Nero's Golden Palace. When we got to the Colosseum it was fantastic to see one of the 7 wonders of the Ancient World. It was amazing to think that we were standing where gladiators had spilled each others blood and fought against lions, tigers and leopards thousands of years ago.

    Colosseum

Before heading to the Palatine Hill, we had a snack outside the Colosseum; I got a colossal donut! On top of the Palatine Hill (which was the most exclusive place to live!) we looked round the awesome palace which was mostly built by Emperor Septimus Severus. Not only did it contain an enormous garden and thermal baths, but you could get a superb view of the Circus Maximus. Apparently I need to see Ben Hur to get an idea of what the chariot races were like, as Charlton Heston was magnificent!

Coming back down the Palatine onto the Capitoline hill, we strolled through the Forum where we learned a bit more about the way Roman politics was conducted. I'm not sure how our modern day politicians would have coped - it was expected that all promising young politicians spent a few years serving in one of the legions as a tribune and being taught how to fight by a Centurion. 

  
    Septimus Severus' palace 

We had a fantastic lunch at a pizzeria just a short walk from the Forum then went to the Augustine Forum. This was much bigger than the other forums and was seen as a way of imposing his authority and status. Mr Allen said this was one of his favourite sights in Rome (I think was his 7th favourite sight!).

By this time we were pretty tired and were really pleased when Mr Allen took us back to the hotel for a rest before our evening meal. Of course there was still time for a gelato! We finished by having dinner at our usual restaurant and had another fantastic meal - they have been absolutely brilliant looking after us.

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