A walk through Rome, the Italian capital, is like going back in time to when the city was the centre of the Roman Empire and gladiators battled it out in the Colosseum. At the height of its power, the empire had expanded across most of Western Wurope, Northern Africa, and Asia Minor. However, its success was also its downfall. The bigger the empire grew, the harder it was to manage. As time passed, corruption, in-fighting, and attacks from barbarian tribes caused its collapse.
There were a handful of significant rulers such as Julius Caesar. Using brilliant political maneuvres and excellent military strategies, Caesar greatly expanded Rome's empire. Despite never being an emperor, his adopted great-nephew Augustus became the first and longest reigning Roman Emperor, ruling peacefully for 41 years over and ever-expanding empire. Trajan was the first non-Italian emperor who reigned for 19 years during the peak of the empire. His cousin Hadrian succeeded Trajan, and built Hadrian's Wall in the UK. Hadrian ceased expansionism and ruled for 20 years. Roman emperors are often portrayed in popular culture as having short-lived reigns, usually because there were assassinated. However, history shows that most of the emperors who left a lasting legacy had lengthy and successful reigns and generally dies of natural causes.
The Romans were great engineers and builders, as seen through the many monuments, grand aqueducts, and ancient roads that continue to exist today. Rome has two nicknames. In the first case, "The City of Seven Hills" refers to the ancient city built on seven hills. The second, the "Eternal City", refers to the ancient Romans believing that no matter how many empires rose or fell, Rome would go on forever. Well, that much is true. After the fall of the empire, Rome endured the Dark Ages, became annexed by the French Empire, and was bombed heavily during WWII before emerging as one Europe's largest cities.
The historic centre of Rome has no high-rises or skyscrapers. The payout is more horizontal, with only St Peter's Basilica dominating the skyline. Most buildings are no more than 3-4 storeys high, with narrow streets separating them. Pockets of small piazzas pop up everywhere, and landmarks are dotted amongst all these. It's not unusual for large monuments to appear suddenly just around the corner. They are often tightly packed into the city's landscape.
Major roads may lead to a junction or a large piazza, while the Tiber River snakes through the city centre with bridges connecting the banks. The city appears to be divided into three major sections:
West of the river is St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican City, and Castel Sant'Angelo
East of the river is the city's heart with the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and Piazza Navona
Southeast of the river is ancient Rome in the form of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.
I started my journey by crossing the Ponte Sant'Angelo over the Tiber River. Constructed by Hadrian in the 2nd century, this five-arched bridge, built of stone and beautifully adorned with five angel statues on each side, brought me to the entrance of Castel Sant'Angelo.
The castle has a grand cylindrical design with a fortified passageway that connects with Vatican City. Hadrian commissioned it as his family's mausoleum, where their ashes are buried deep within the building. In the 5th century, it was converted into a military fortress and by the 14th century it became the Papal residence and place of refuge when under siege. Since 1925 it has served as a museum.
Admiring the castle's architecture, I meandered around its perimeter through a landscaped garden with a bronze statue of Hadrian in the centre of it.
Having finished the Paris Challenge, I am now embarking upon the Rome Challenge; which will be a distance of 55km.
As it is still the same day, I don't have anything further to add... except to express my gratitude for the new form of exercise that I have been able to include in my regime. Long may it continue!!
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