Lots of ruins

Rome, Day2.
One of the unique things about Rome is that on one corner you find a university, on the second corner a pizzeria, on the third corner a Prada store and on the fourth, antiquities. Our first full day was spent exploring the remains of massive and ah inspiring structures.

Our first view of the Roman Colosseum

It really is huge

Scary fact: During the first games in AD 80,
over 9,000 wild animals were killed in the Colosseum

Alex trying hard to visit the ER in every major European city

Christina with the Arch of Constantine in the background

You can see that the floor is missing. The part exposed is where animals were kept in cages. They were brought up in elevators and were released at the floor level where they surprised the gladiator who didn't know what type of animal he would be attacked by.

Henry and Christina

Clayton and company in the Colosseum

Alex and Caroline

Pete and Christina
"Oh, the hours I've spent inside the Colosseum,
Dodging lions and wastin' time." - Bob Dylan

Ruby and Alex showing some sibling love

Alex, Caroline and Ruby

Henry sitting on a nearly 2000 year old Corinthian capital

Ruby, Henry and Alex

Ruby

Alex, Henry, Christina, Caroline and Ruby after getting refueled with some pizza

Caroline, Ruby, Alex, Pete and Henry onto our next destination: Palatine Hill

Ruby and Alex with the stadium in the background

Alex, Caroline, sleeping Henry and Pete on Palatine Hill

Aaaah, relief!

That's better

Pete, Henry, Caroline, Alex and Ruby on their way down to the Forum

Caroline and Alex with the Basilica of Constantine and Maxentius in the background. These 3 arches are only 1/3 of the original Basilica.

The bell tower of Santa Francesca Romana and the Arch of Titus. The Arch of Titus commemorated the Romans conquering Israel.

Alex looking over the Forum with the Colosseum in the background

Henry took most of his naps in the car or in Pete's arms on this trip

A refreshed Henry, Alex, Caroline and Ruby with the House of the Vestal Virgins in the background

The Temple of Antoninus Pius and Faustina

Pete and Alex with the Temple of Julius Caesar in the back left corner. Julius Caesar's body was burned here after his assasination