Rome and its history
Residenza Alexander offers you a tour of the most admired monuments in the world.
A journey through history, art and culture.
Ara Pacis
The Ara Pacis Augustae (Altar of Augustan peace) is an altar dedicated by Augustus in 9 BC. Peace, in its sense of divinity, and originally placed in an area of Campo Marzio consecrated to the celebration of the victories, emblematic place because it is located a Roman mile (1,472 m) from the pomerium, the city limit where the consul returns from an expedition military lost its powers (imperium militiae) and came back in possession of its civilian powers (imperium domi).
This monument represents one of the most significant evidence received from the Augustan art and intends to symbolize the peace and prosperity achieved as a result of the Roman Pax.
The Ara Pacis Augustae (Altar of Augustan peace) is an altar dedicated by Augustus in 9 BC. Peace, in its sense of divinity, and originally placed in an area of Campo Marzio consecrated to the celebration of the victories, emblematic place because it is located a Roman mile (1,472 m) from the pomerium, the city limit where the consul returns from an expedition military lost its powers (imperium militiae) and came back in possession of its civilian powers (imperium domi).
This monument represents one of the most significant evidence received from the Augustan art and intends to symbolize the peace and prosperity achieved as a result of the Roman Pax.
Pantheon
Dedicated to the worship of all the gods, the Pantheon was built by the emperor Hadrian between 120 and 124 AD. At the beginning of the seventh century it was converted into a Christian basilica called Santa Maria ad Martyres.
The Pantheon basically consists of three parts: the Pronao, the Avancorpo and the Rotonda. But its fundamental element is the "void". This is perceived as soon as you enter the magnificent cell, an element for which the Pantheon is deservedly famous in the history of architecture of all times, and for which thousands of visitors crowd it every day.
The cell (naos), an extraordinary circular space, whose diameter of m. 43.44 is equal to the height from the ground of the hemispherical dome that covers it, illuminated by a central oculus of m. 8.92 in diameter. From here the sunlight, at certain times of the year, perfectly illuminates some of the satellite compartments that articulate the walls.
Starting from the Renaissance in the Pantheon, as in all churches, burials were made, in particular by illustrious artists. The tombs of the painters Raffaello Sanzio and Annibale Carracci, of the architect Baldassarre Peruzzi and of the musician Arcangelo Corelli are still preserved today.
The Pantheon also preserves the tombs of the two first kings of Italy, Vittorio Emanuele II and his son Umberto I.
Dedicated to the worship of all the gods, the Pantheon was built by the emperor Hadrian between 120 and 124 AD. At the beginning of the seventh century it was converted into a Christian basilica called Santa Maria ad Martyres.
The Pantheon basically consists of three parts: the Pronao, the Avancorpo and the Rotonda. But its fundamental element is the "void". This is perceived as soon as you enter the magnificent cell, an element for which the Pantheon is deservedly famous in the history of architecture of all times, and for which thousands of visitors crowd it every day.
The cell (naos), an extraordinary circular space, whose diameter of m. 43.44 is equal to the height from the ground of the hemispherical dome that covers it, illuminated by a central oculus of m. 8.92 in diameter. From here the sunlight, at certain times of the year, perfectly illuminates some of the satellite compartments that articulate the walls.
Starting from the Renaissance in the Pantheon, as in all churches, burials were made, in particular by illustrious artists. The tombs of the painters Raffaello Sanzio and Annibale Carracci, of the architect Baldassarre Peruzzi and of the musician Arcangelo Corelli are still preserved today.
The Pantheon also preserves the tombs of the two first kings of Italy, Vittorio Emanuele II and his son Umberto I.
Fori imperiali
The Imperial Forums constitute a series of monumental squares built over the course of a century and a half (between 46 BC and 113 AD) in the heart of the city of Rome by emperors. The Roman Forum is not part of them, that is, the old republican square, whose first arrangement dates back to the royal age (VI century BC) and which had been for centuries the political, religious and economic center of the city, but which did not have never a unitary character.
The first to be built was the Forum of Caesar, presumably inaugurated around 46 BC. Unlike the Roman Forum, it was a unitary project: a square with arcades on the long sides and with the temple dedicated to Venus Genetrix at the center of the back side, from which Julius Caesar boasted of descending through Iulus, the progenitor of the gens Iulia , son of Aeneas, in turn son of the goddess. The Forum of Caesar with the temple of Venus Genetrix. The new square took up the model of the arcades built around the temples that the most important and influential politicians of the last century of the Republic had built in the area of the Circo Flaminio and had the same purposes as personal propaganda and consensus-building.
Subsequently, the Forum of Augustus was built (2 BC). Compared to the Forum of Caesar, the new complex was arranged orthogonally and the temple of Mars leaned on a very high wall, still preserved, which divided the monument from the popular Suburra district. The porticoes that stood on the long sides, opened behind them in large exedras (covered semicircular spaces), intended to host the activities of the courts. They were also enriched with statues of real and mythological characters from the history of Rome and members of the Giulia family, with inscriptions listing their exploits, and in the central niches the groups of Aeneas and the statue of Romulus. Also in this case the construction of the complex was linked to the propaganda of the new regime and all its decoration celebrates the new golden age which was wanted to be inaugurated with the principality of Augustus.
The Imperial Forums constitute a series of monumental squares built over the course of a century and a half (between 46 BC and 113 AD) in the heart of the city of Rome by emperors. The Roman Forum is not part of them, that is, the old republican square, whose first arrangement dates back to the royal age (VI century BC) and which had been for centuries the political, religious and economic center of the city, but which did not have never a unitary character.
The first to be built was the Forum of Caesar, presumably inaugurated around 46 BC. Unlike the Roman Forum, it was a unitary project: a square with arcades on the long sides and with the temple dedicated to Venus Genetrix at the center of the back side, from which Julius Caesar boasted of descending through Iulus, the progenitor of the gens Iulia , son of Aeneas, in turn son of the goddess. The Forum of Caesar with the temple of Venus Genetrix. The new square took up the model of the arcades built around the temples that the most important and influential politicians of the last century of the Republic had built in the area of the Circo Flaminio and had the same purposes as personal propaganda and consensus-building.
Subsequently, the Forum of Augustus was built (2 BC). Compared to the Forum of Caesar, the new complex was arranged orthogonally and the temple of Mars leaned on a very high wall, still preserved, which divided the monument from the popular Suburra district. The porticoes that stood on the long sides, opened behind them in large exedras (covered semicircular spaces), intended to host the activities of the courts. They were also enriched with statues of real and mythological characters from the history of Rome and members of the Giulia family, with inscriptions listing their exploits, and in the central niches the groups of Aeneas and the statue of Romulus. Also in this case the construction of the complex was linked to the propaganda of the new regime and all its decoration celebrates the new golden age which was wanted to be inaugurated with the principality of Augustus.
Domus Aurea
The Domus Aurea ("Golden House", precisely because much of this precious metal was used in it) was the urban villa built by the Roman emperor Nero after the great fire that devastated Rome in 64 AD.
The destruction of a large part of the urban center allowed the princeps to expropriate a total area of about 80 hectares and build a palace that stretched from the Palatine to the Esquiline.
The villa, probably never completed, was destroyed after Nero's death following the return of the land on which the Roman people stood.
The surviving part of the Domus Aurea, hidden by the subsequent thermal baths of Trajan, like the entire historical center of Rome, the extraterritorial areas of the Holy See in Italy and the basilica of San Paolo outside the walls, has been included in the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1980.
The Domus Aurea ("Golden House", precisely because much of this precious metal was used in it) was the urban villa built by the Roman emperor Nero after the great fire that devastated Rome in 64 AD.
The destruction of a large part of the urban center allowed the princeps to expropriate a total area of about 80 hectares and build a palace that stretched from the Palatine to the Esquiline.
The villa, probably never completed, was destroyed after Nero's death following the return of the land on which the Roman people stood.
The surviving part of the Domus Aurea, hidden by the subsequent thermal baths of Trajan, like the entire historical center of Rome, the extraterritorial areas of the Holy See in Italy and the basilica of San Paolo outside the walls, has been included in the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1980.
Colosseo
The Colosseum, originally known as Amphitheatrum Flavium (Flavian Amphitheater) or simply as Amphitheatrum, is the largest amphitheater in the world, located in the center of the city of Rome.
It is the most important Roman amphitheater, as well as the most impressive monument of ancient Rome that has come down to us, known worldwide as a symbol of the city of Rome and one of the symbols of Italy.
The name "Colosseum" spread only in the Middle Ages and derives from the popular deformation of the Latin adjective "colosseum" or, more likely, from the proximity of the colossal bronze statue of Nero that stood nearby.
In ancient times it was used for gladiator shows and other public events (hunting shows, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on classical mythology).
The tradition that calls it a place of martyrdom for Christians is without foundation. No longer in use after the 6th century, the enormous structure was reused variously over the centuries, also as a quarry for material. Today it is a symbol of the city of Rome and one of its major tourist attractions in the form of an archaeological monument regularly visited.
The Colosseum, originally known as Amphitheatrum Flavium (Flavian Amphitheater) or simply as Amphitheatrum, is the largest amphitheater in the world, located in the center of the city of Rome.
It is the most important Roman amphitheater, as well as the most impressive monument of ancient Rome that has come down to us, known worldwide as a symbol of the city of Rome and one of the symbols of Italy.
The name "Colosseum" spread only in the Middle Ages and derives from the popular deformation of the Latin adjective "colosseum" or, more likely, from the proximity of the colossal bronze statue of Nero that stood nearby.
In ancient times it was used for gladiator shows and other public events (hunting shows, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on classical mythology).
The tradition that calls it a place of martyrdom for Christians is without foundation. No longer in use after the 6th century, the enormous structure was reused variously over the centuries, also as a quarry for material. Today it is a symbol of the city of Rome and one of its major tourist attractions in the form of an archaeological monument regularly visited.
Arco di Costantino
The arch of Constantine is a triumphal arch with three arches (with a central passage flanked by two smaller lateral passages), located in Rome, a short distance from the Colosseum.
It was dedicated by the senate to commemorate the victory of Constantine I against Maxentius in the battle of Ponte Milvio (28 October 312) and inaugurated in 315 on the occasion of the emperor's decennalia (ten years of reign); the location, between the Palatine and the Celio, was on the ancient path of triumphs.
The arch is one of the three triumphal arches that survived in Rome, in via dei Fori imperiali: the other two are the arch of Titus (around 81–90) and the arch of Septimius Severus (202–203).
The arch of Constantine is a triumphal arch with three arches (with a central passage flanked by two smaller lateral passages), located in Rome, a short distance from the Colosseum.
It was dedicated by the senate to commemorate the victory of Constantine I against Maxentius in the battle of Ponte Milvio (28 October 312) and inaugurated in 315 on the occasion of the emperor's decennalia (ten years of reign); the location, between the Palatine and the Celio, was on the ancient path of triumphs.
The arch is one of the three triumphal arches that survived in Rome, in via dei Fori imperiali: the other two are the arch of Titus (around 81–90) and the arch of Septimius Severus (202–203).
Circo Massimo
The Circus Maximus is an ancient Roman circus, dedicated to horse racing, built in Rome. Located in the valley between the Palatine and the Aventine, it is remembered as a venue for games since the beginning of the history of the city: in the valley the mythical episode of the rat of the Sabines would have occurred, on the occasion of the games called by Romulus in honor of the god Consus.
It could accommodate about 250,000 spectators on the bleachers. The external facade had three orders: only the lower one, double height, was arched. The cavea rested on masonry structures, which housed the passages and stairs to reach the different sectors of the seats, internal service areas and shops open to the outside.
The Circus Maximus is an ancient Roman circus, dedicated to horse racing, built in Rome. Located in the valley between the Palatine and the Aventine, it is remembered as a venue for games since the beginning of the history of the city: in the valley the mythical episode of the rat of the Sabines would have occurred, on the occasion of the games called by Romulus in honor of the god Consus.
It could accommodate about 250,000 spectators on the bleachers. The external facade had three orders: only the lower one, double height, was arched. The cavea rested on masonry structures, which housed the passages and stairs to reach the different sectors of the seats, internal service areas and shops open to the outside.
