Column at entrance to the Colosseum.

What can one say about the city of Rome that breaks new ground?  We were privileged to take a tour of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum which for so long were the center of the Western World.  Perhaps the greatest architectural achievement was the Colosseum created by the  Emperor Vespasian <https://www.britannica.com/topic/Colosseum>, there can be little doubt that the Romans were the greatest engineers of the antiquities.  It could be a sad allegory to our times that while Rome out as a representative democracy, it reverted to a dictatorship ruled by emperors.  Their lust for expansion led to the end of the volunteer army and the creation of mercenary armies that, in the end, lacked devotion to the democratic ideal.

Roman road to Forum.

First look at the Forum.

Entering the Forum.

The Grave of Julius Caesar.

Last pano of the Forum as we left for the Imperial Forum.

 Temple of Romulus.

Huge Brass Door in the Temple of Romulus.

Start of Imperial Forum.