1. ANCIENT ROME
A Journey Into The Past

3. The Legend of Romulus and Remus
The Romans believed that Romulus, the first ruler of
Rome, founded the city on April 21, 753 B.C.
In the ancient times, Roman children were all told the
story of how Romulus and his twin brother Remus
were cast adrift in a basket on the Tiber River by their
wicked grandfather. Their grandfather was a wicked
king who ordered them to be drowned so they would
not inherit his throne.

4. The Legend of Romulus and Remus
Luckily, they were saved by a she-wolf who heard the babies
crying and rescued them. The mother wolf took the babies to
her lair and feed them along with her own wolf cubs. After
they were older, they found by a shepherd of royal flocks and
he and his wife raised them.
When Romulus and Remus grew up, they overthrew the wicked
king who tried to kill them. Then the twins built a city where
the mother wolf had found them. According to the
myth, before the city was completed, the brothers had an
argument and Romulus killed Remus. After the city was
built, Romulus named it after himself calling it Rome.

7. The Pantheon is the most perfectly preserved of all the ancient
temples. This marvel of architectural engineering has a giant oculus
forever open to the sky, a dome, columns, beautiful frescos, marble
decorations and ancient statues. This was built in AD 118-125.
The Pantheon throughout time has served as a temple, and Christian
Church. It is a burial site for the artist, Raphael. The Royal Tombs of
the first King of Italy and his son are also here.

10. Inside of the
Pantheon is the
widest masonry
dome in Europe.
The hole at the
top is called an
oculus. It provides
light and structural
support!

11. When Rome
conquered
Egypt, the
Romans were in
awe of the
Egyptian
obelisks.

12. What do you know
about the
Roman
Colosseum?

13. The Colosseum
The Colosseum was built by the Romans in 72-80
AD. In AD 80, when it opened, the Emperor Titus
declared 100 days of celebratory games, some
involving the massacre of 5000 wild beasts
against the gladiators. The Colosseum seated
50,000 spectators. Notice the arches. The
Romans were the first to use arches.

16. .
This area was below ground level. This was the place where the wild animals were kept
before they were thrown upward and set free in the Coliseum to fight the gladiators.

17. Throughout Rome, there are many ruins where one can observe
columns and structures with arches.

18. What do you know
about the
Roman Forum?

19. THE ROMAN FORUM
Gazing on it today, a picturesque shambles of
ruins, you would hardly guess that the Forum
was a symbol of civic pride for 1,000 years. Its
humble beginning over 3,000 years ago was a
swampy cemetery. After the marsh was
drained off in 5 BC, it took on the central role
in the life of the Roman Republic. It was the
political, cultural and economic center for
what becomes the largest empire in history.

21. What do you know
about the
Roman bathouses?

22. Roman Bathhouses
As the center of Roman social life, bathhouses
were grandiose affairs, as seen in the remains in
the Baths of Caracalla. These baths were begun
in 217 AD and were used until 546, when
invading Goths destroyed the aqueducts. Up to
2,000 people at a time could use these luxurious
bathhouses.
Roman baths included social centers, art
galleries, libraries, baths (pools), sweat
baths, steam baths, a cool down, then a cold
plunge.

23. Roman Baths
Relaxing gardens
surrounded the complex as
well as underground piping
to have a continuous flow of
fresh water coming into the
baths. The wealthy Romans
spent many hours a day at
the baths. All citizens
frequented the baths.

26. Ancient Roman Gods and Goddesses
Statues are found throughout the Piazzas and streets of
Rome that depict the many ancient gods and goddesses.
Most were rebuilt during the Renaissance to replace
those that were destroyed during the “Fall of Rome” in
476 AD.

27. Roman Statues

29. Roman
Statues

30. What do you know
about the
Roman Roads?

31. “ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME”
• This is a famous quote. Beyond the city walls that were
constructed in the 3rd century, the old Roman roads still
continue. The Appian Way is the “Queen of Roads. It was
completed in 312 AD by Appius Claudius. He was also the
architect of Rome’s famous aqueducts.
• The Appian Way was also the way out of the city for the many
Christians who were persecuted during part of this time. Along
this road are many miles of underground catacombs and
worship sites.

32. Roman
Roads

34. Aqueducts
The Romans invented aqueducts as a way to transport
water from the mountains into the city. Water was
used for bathhouses, fountains, and indoor plumbing
in for wealthy families.
Aqueducts were engineered using a series of
arches, columns, and bridges. Many aqueducts are
stilled used in Italy today.

38. The Eternal City