May 2013 S M T W T F S « Jan 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Comments
Tags
amphora amphorae Anasazi ancient Ancient Pompeii Ancient Rome archaeological archaeology atrium Backpacking BLM Canyonlands National Park Cedar Mesa Colosseum Comb Ridge CRM desert excavation forum Garden of the Fugitives Giolitti Grand Gulch Hadrian Herculaneum kiva lararium moki petroglyph pictograph pizza Pompeii Pompeii Food and Drink Project rock art Roma Roman Rome Salt Creek scavi Sorrento Survey Testaccio triclinium Utah Vernal villa
Category Archives: Italy
Colosseum cleaning yields old frescos/graffiti
ROME —A long-delayed restoration of the Colosseum’s only intact internal passageway has yielded ancient traces of red, black, green and blue frescoes — as well as graffiti and drawings of phallic symbols — indicating that the arena where gladiators fought … Continue reading
Posted in Ancient Rome, Archaeology, Italy, Rome
Tagged Ancient Rome, archaeology, Colosseum, Rome
Leave a comment
The Gladiator Tomb
AArrrghh… it’s just maddening! In 2008 archaeologists discover the 2nd century tomb of a wealthy senator, distinguished consul, and highly decorated battle-hardened general who led 20 years worth of Roman military campaigns for Emperor Marcus Aurelius against the Germanic tribes. … Continue reading
Posted in Ancient Rome, Archaeology, Italy
Tagged archaeology, gladiator, Rome, Site Preservation, Tomb
Leave a comment
The Secrets of Ancient Rome’s Buildings
Smithsonian Magazine What is it about Roman concrete that keeps the Pantheon and the Colosseum still standing? The Colosseum, inaugurated in A.D. 80, seated 50,000 and hosted gladiatorial games, ritual animal hunts, parades and executions The Romans started making concrete … Continue reading
Posted in Ancient Rome, Archaeology, Italy
Tagged Pozzolane, Roman Concrete, Rome, Volcanic Ash
Leave a comment
Today’s Photo: The Pantheon at Night
Built by Marcus Agrippa in 27 BC, on the Campus Martius (Field of Mars), the original Pantheon burned during a large fire in 80 AD. Soon after the fire, it was rebuilt by Domitian, only to be burned again in … Continue reading
Posted in Ancient Rome, Italy, Rome
Tagged Ancient Rome, Apollodorus, Hadrian, Italy, Marcus Agrippa, Pantheon, Rome
Leave a comment
Today’s Photo: Amphorae in Pompeii
Amphorae in a garum factory in Pompeii These amphorae were cleaned and stacked in the corner, waiting be filled with fish sauce, when Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. Needless to say, the fish sauce deliveries for that week were “delayed.”
Today’s Photo: Flavian Amphitheater in Rome (The Colosseum)
Building on the site of the Emperor Nero’s private lake, the construction of the Amphitheatrum Flavium (Flavian Amphitheater) was begun in 72 AD by the Emperor Titus Flavius Caesar Vespasianus Augustus, and was completed 8 years later by his successor, … Continue reading
Posted in Ancient Rome, Archaeology, Italy, Rome
Tagged archaeology, Colosseum, Flavian Amphitheater, Italy, Rome
Leave a comment
Today’s Photo: Arch of Gallienus
Located on Rome’s Esquiline Hill, on the site of the Porta Esquilina, the Arch of Gallienus was commissioned in 262 AD by Marcus Aurelius Victor in honor of the Emperor Gallienus. Originally consisting of three arches, only one survives today.
Posted in Ancient Rome, Archaeology, Italy
Tagged Arch, archaeology, Esquiline Hill, Gallienus, Italy, Rome, Travel
Leave a comment
Today’s Photo: Pons Aemilius, The Ponte Rotto, Rome
Located immediately downstream from Tiber Island, the Ponte Rotto (Broken Bridge) was originally erected during the 3rd century BC. The bridge was likely constructed as part of the Via Aurelia, the road to Etruria. The visible remains seen today … Continue reading
Posted in Ancient Rome, Italy, Rome
Tagged Ancient Rome, Pons Aemilius, Ponte Rotto, Rome, Tiber Bridges
Leave a comment
Today’s Photo: Roman Brick Stamp From Ostia
Beginning around the middle first century BC, Roman brick makers began to stamp their bricks with identifying marks. By the first century AD, urban brick stamps included the names of the Consuls for that year. This brick, found in Ostia … Continue reading
Minori to Amalfi: An Amalfi Coast Walk
One of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon is to head up onto the slopes overlooking the Amalfi coast. The blue sky, sea and pastel painted towns are almost too quaint and picturesque, to the point of looking not … Continue reading