Robert Day: When in Rome...

The Temple of Venus and Roma was the largest temple ever built in Rome. It was dedicated by the Emperor Hadrian in the year 135. Today ten exterior columns that originally were part of a row of surrounding double pillars stand on the temple's massive elevated base. I photographed the columns last month as an afterthought, hastily looking back as our tour darted from the Colosseum to the Forum. 

Columns of the Temple of Venus and Roma point toward the Colosseum, July 8, 2019.

Seventy-five years ago the New Yorker published a cartoon by Robert Day that was set just about here. World War II was still raging, but Mussolini had been ousted as the Italian Prime Minister in July of 1943 and the Armistice of Cassibili was signed in September of that year. With Italy subsequently fighting on the side of the Allies, Americans in the summer of 1944 must have known they were winning the war.

The return of tourism to Europe was still a ways off, but New Yorker readers must have been comforted by the lighthearted antics of the serviceman shown here carrying on for the camera. With its trivial subject matter in the setting of ancient ruins, this is not a great gag by any means but it may be something more important than that: a reassurance that in a world torn asunder by the pain of war some lucky few might soon be able once again to experience a few glorious, carefree moments.

Robert Day
The New Yorker, August 26, 1944, page 21

https://archives.newyorker.com/?i=1944-08-26#folio=020

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Rome 2019: Incident at the Colosseum

On our way to the Circus Maximus in Rome, we became aware of some unusually loud activity at the Colosseum. It appeared as if a man was threatening to jump from the second level of  the ancient amphitheater. Police and firefighters were on hand to try to coax him down. We later learned through Italian news media that this was apparently a public protest rather than a suicide attempt.

My videos:

We decided to move on, but the incident continued for more than an hour judging from La Repubblica's YouTube video. The protest reportedly ended without mishap when the man was coaxed back inside. The monument remained open to visitors throughout.

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Rome 2019: The Forum

Our walking tour proceeded from the Colosseum to the Roman Forum. This was my first time entering the site. Again, I was very pleased with the services of Viator on both legs of this tour.

The Colosseum, left, the Arch of Constantine, right, with the Forum in the foreground.

The Arch of Titus with the "Spoils of Jerusalem" relief:

The Arch of Titus

The white Vittorio Emanuele II Monument in the background is the largest building in Rome.

The Tabularium, center, behind the columns of the Temple of Vespasian and Titus

The church of San Lorenzo in Miranda was built in the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina
 

The Tabularium, the Arch of Septimus Severus, the church of Santi Luca e Martina, and the Curia Julia or Senate House

The Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine

The Arch of Titus

The church of San Lorenzo in Miranda built within the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina

The church of San Lorenzo in Miranda built within the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina

Julius Caesar's grave:

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Rome 2019: The Colosseum

Viator disappointed with its tour of the Vatican Museums, yet the tour group really came through with its excursion to the Colosseum and Roman Forum. There was heavy equipment around the ancient amphitheatre and extensive reconstruction work going on within.

The arches originally served as gates and are numbered with Roman numerals.

The summer crowd is large; it's better to fly!

Fly by

In modern times the Colosseum has been consecrated as a church:

This end of the Colosseum wasn't open to the public last time I was here in 1995.

One section of the seats still retains some ancient marble.

Only some of the extensive decorative work remains. It was originally painted.

The view through an arch towards the Temple of Venus and Roma and beyond that the Forum:

Approaching the Arch of Constantine:

The Arch of Constantine stands alongside the Colosseum:

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Ronald Searle: St. Trinian's in Rome

The girls of St. Trinian's are on holiday in Rome as depicted in this drawing by the superb illustrator Ronald Searle. The girls are decidedly not relishing the sights of the Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine, and the Roman Forum. I'd say Rome has met its match!

Ronald Searle
[St. Trinian's in Rome]

Ronald Searle: St. Trinian's in Rome, eBay Winning Bid

Ronald Searle: St. Trinian's in Rome, eBay Item Description

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Note:  My most recent post on Ronald Searle and St. Trinian's can be found here.

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