IMG_0326 - Zoom in to see the model in the middle back. It was for foot races, wrestling, and other athletic contests.
IMG_0330 - There are 30,000 London plane trees in Rome. They absorb air pollution into their bark, which then is shed.
IMG_0332 - The colosseum, or Flavian Amphitheatre of AD 72, for 55,000 spectators to watch gladiator or wild animal fights.
IMG_0333 - A smoother walkway has been added for modern visitors.
IMG_0334 - The arch where the dead gladiators were carried out. Others went out the far side. Like boxers, most survived
IMG_0336 - The hypogeum, topped by a wooden floor, contained passages, shafts, animal pens, stage props, and equipment.
IMG_0337 - Our group. Andrea Bocelli sang a benefit concert here in 2009, for victims of the earthquake in L'Aquila.
IMG_0342 - A piece of a column, and its capital with acanthus leaf decorations.
IMG_0347 - Originally everything was covered with marble. After the 6th century, it and the metal were plundered.
IMG_0348 - The Forum, or city centre, had public buildings, theatres etc. Photo taken from high on the Colosseum.
IMG_0349 - The Forum. Many ancient buildings survived because they were converted to Christian churches.
IMG_0350 - The Arch of Titus and part of the Forum.