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Post by Jan on Nov 4, 2010 2:28:04 GMT -5
Anyone think of some memories to share? My visit to Rome came to mind, and I remember a number of famous places I visited, but I will mention the Colliseum here. I had quite a revelation there, that I was living in a place with buildings for only 200 years, and yet the citizens of Rome live in a country whose history goes back over 2,800 years, and surely it would make a difference to one's outlook on life. Attachments:
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Post by Sharon on Nov 5, 2010 10:08:57 GMT -5
Yes it is amazing to think that Rome which was founded in 753 BC had a surprisingly advanced civilization and reportedly was a prosperous city with defined social classes as a result of the promotion of trade and successful ideas regarding citizen assembly. There is such a romance about this city; often called the “Eternal City” and I understand it is the oldest continuously populated city in the world. Rome’s population of more than a million was not matched by any other European city until London finally over took it in the nineteenth century. As a child I was always fascinated by their gods and goddesses like: Jupiter, Juno, Pluto, Bacchus, Diana and Venus, etc.. Jupiter, god of thunder and lightening, was their chief god but I was more in awe of Diana and Venus. Stories about the Vestal Virgins who were women priests who tended the sacred fire of Vesta, goddess of the hearth fire also always fascinated me, actually I still find these to be most intriguing. A little trivia for your enjoyment is that the month of August was originally named Sextillis (from sextus) but was renamed in honor of the Roman Emperor Augustus. January is named after the Roman god of beginnings, Janus, who has two faces—one looking back to the old year and the other looking forward to the new year. April is from the Latin aperire which means “to open,” perhaps referring to the opening of flowers. Things have most certainly changed as Rome has a sovereign state located entirely in its city limits, the Vatican City, which is also the world’s smallest state. Did you know that Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, is named after a great figure of Rome, Cincinnatus (519-438 B.C.). This little tidbit if for Daphne for the cookbook -- The Capuchin Crypt in Rome consists of five chapels and a corridor 60 meters long—and it is decorated with the bones of 4,000 deceased monks. The coffee drink Cappuccino takes its name from this order of monks who were known by their custom of wearing a hood or cappucio with their habits.I could go on and on about Rome and the ancient world .... I have never been there though Jan and would love to hear more from you on your trip there. Attachments:
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