ROME - 2000+ years of history

Colosseum

Pantheon

St. Peter's Basilica

The Colosseum, Pantheon, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Vatican Museums (including the Sistine Chapel) were our primary stops in Rome.  Each stop reminded me of the reality that human nature has remained the same for thousands of years.

Floor of the Colosseum with tunnels and ramps where animals
and fighters were held.

The Colosseum is a stadium built in the mid-1st century as a place for 55,000-73,000 spectators to be entertained by the violent fighting of gladiators, wild animals, slaves, and "volunteers".  At the peak of the games, a death would occur every 4 minutes.  The sandy floor of the Colosseum was raked to cover the blood while perfume was sprayed to cover the smell of death in the air.  I was shocked by the desire to be entertained by such destruction, and quickly reminded that we continue to enjoy similar entertainment (ie UFC).

The Pantheon, "pan" meaning many and "theo" meaning god, was built in the 2nd century as a place of worship for the 10 main gods of the Roman Empire and was consecrated in the 7th century as a Catholic church.  This stop was a reminder that humans acknowledge and pursue hope, joy, and life outside of this present, visible world.

Bronze canopy
St. Peter's Basilica

Marble sculpture
Vatican Museum

St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel were also reminders of the human acknowledgment and pursuit of the transcendent.  It was also an incredible display of the creativity, skill, and craftsmanship of man.  From the vast array of marble sculptures, tapestries, and paintings to the Sistine Chapel, I stood in awe.  There is an element of beauty that is brought to this world by the presence of humans.

Alabaster window in St. Peter's