About the Classical Rome Walk in Rome
Our Classical Rome walk explores the great swath of the city (outside of the triumvirate of the Palatine Hill, Colosseum and Forum) that houses a profusion of archaeological sites and ruins, crucial for understanding the depth and range of the power and influence of the Roman empire. In contrast with our Roma Antica walk, which focuses on the concentrated area of the city universally recognized as the archaeological core of the city, the Classical Rome walk uses the entire historical center as a text for reading the history and legacy of ancient Rome and the slow crumbling of the city at the end of its dominance.
Our itinerary begins along the banks of the Tiber river, source of life for the city and frequent scourge. Here we begin with the temples of Hercules Victor and Portunus, two Republican-era structures that have been restored and remade many times over, thus reflecting the layered nature of the city. The churches of S. Maria in Cosmedin and San Nicola in Carcere also present
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Our Classical Rome walk explores the great swath of the city (outside of the triumvirate of the Palatine Hill, Colosseum and Forum) that houses a profusion of archaeological sites and ruins, crucial for understanding the depth and range of the power and influence of the Roman empire. In contrast with our Roma Antica walk, which focuses on the concentrated area of the city universally recognized as the archaeological core of the city, the Classical Rome walk uses the entire historical center as a text for reading the history and legacy of ancient Rome and the slow crumbling of the city at the end of its dominance.
Our itinerary begins along the banks of the Tiber river, source of life for the city and frequent scourge. Here we begin with the temples of Hercules Victor and Portunus, two Republican-era structures that have been restored and remade many times over, thus reflecting the layered nature of the city. The churches of S. Maria in Cosmedin and San Nicola in Carcere also present an opportunity to see how Rome has built upon itself, with ancient Roman elements absorbed into the architecture. Our docent, normally a classicist, archaeologist, or architect, will use these initial sites to lay the groundwork and to form a theme for our consideration and understanding of ancient history, as we delve further into the monuments of the ancient center.
From the Theatre of Marcellus, through Largo Argentina and winding our way through the Campus Martius (Field of Mars), the ancient training ground of the Roman army, where we will encounter the Pantheon, the Temple of Hadrian and the column of Marcus Aurelius, we will explore the complexity and meaning behind the many layers of Rome and the metamorphoses it has undergone through the centuries.
With so many important monuments to consider and a dense layering of history, the actual course of this walk varies from day to day, depending on the academic background of the docent leading it and the proclivities of the group participating. Regardless, it will provide us a deep and broad understanding of classical Rome and how it has shaped the modern city.
