Fortunately the weather in Rome cleared Sunday morning and it's now fine and sunny once again. Had another exhausting day Sunday, first walking the streets of Rome under our own steam and discovering magnificent buildings, including the stupendous Santa Maria degli Angeli basilica in the Piazza delia Repubbica. After lunch we took a guided tour that visited, among other places, the Piazza Venezia, the Piazza del Campidiglio (designed by Michelangelo) with many statues including one of Marcus Aurelus on horseback. Viewed the Roman Forum, where Julius Caesar was cremated, and the Basilica of Saint Paul, which contains a marble statue of Moses sculpted by Michelangelo. This statute was never completed, as Michelangelo was asked to paint the Cistine Chapel and never got back to it. The Basilica also displays chains that are said to have been used on Saint Peter before his execution. The highlight of the tour was a visit to the Colosseum which, according to our guide, was erected to pander to the local wealthy teenagers' thirst for gory entertainment. Slaves had regularly been killed to provide company for their wealthy masters when they died - a very popular spectator sport - and the government of the day saw this the construction of the Colosseum as an opportunity to expand the entertainment and make money from it. This entertainment was further expanded to include fights to the death between gladiators, and between gladiators and fierce animals. In fact, successful gladiators were treated like celebrities or pop stars. Finished the night with beautiful gelati at the Trevi Fountain, which is just a few steps from our Rome hotel. Next stop - Pompeii, Sorrento and the Isle of Capri.....
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