Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-04-11

saws that Cassius was thrown from here,
In sight of the people assembled In the
Forum.
The Capitoline Hill was once strong
fortress The Tabularium. large build
ing for the reception of the state arch
ives, was built on this hill by the consul
A Sutatius Catulus, IS b. Z.
Near the Rostrum is the remnants OF
the Cpabiljeus alr5iS Roma, or ideal cen
ter of the city aud empire; also the
HiEt1reun 4ureatna, or central mile
stone of the roads diverging from Rome
Directly in front of the Temple Of Con-
cord is the triumphal arch Of SeptImus
Sevelus. erected in 203, to commemorate
his victories over the Parthians, Arab
ians and Adiabeni Beyond is the For
UNI proper. where professional and bust
ness men had their offices, and trades
men their shops. Opposite, to the right,
is the Basilica JOyis, commenced by Jul
Illus Caesar and fnishhd by Augustus,
about $50 3. c. This magnificent
edifice contained five large halls, which
were used for courts Of justice, ex-
changes, public meetings, etc. The
other prominent structures were the
Column OF Phocas, Temple of Saturn,
Estate Treasury Temple Of Castor and
Pollux. and the Forum Nervae.
All that we have described was COM
prised in the Roman Forum, which
formed the focus Of political and civil
life. the scene Of popular assemblies,
judicial proceedings, commercial nsgo-
tiations, and amusements, and was prac-
tically the center Of the Roman Empire.
We viii now pass through and out OF
the Forum by the Via Sacra- (sacred
way. about ODe-fOurth OF mile, up a
slight inclination. to the Arch OF Titus,
erected in 81, by Domitian, in COM
memoration of Titus victory over the
Jews. To our right is the Palatine hill,
the site of the residence Of the emperOrs,
or. as it is termed, the Palace OF the
Caesars. Here, Evaneler, Faustulus and
Romulus resided, and subsequently
many eminent men, such as the Gracchl,
Cicero, Mark Antony and others. But
the emperors finally appropriated the
entire area to their own use.
Excavations have been made by the
government which have brought 10 light
the ruins of the principal streets, tenn
pies. houses and palaces which once Oc-
cupied the site and which are often re-
ferred to in ancient literature. Among
these are the dwellings of Julius Caesar,
Cicero and ClOdius. the CheUjS tct0rl9,
IA street which led TO the Forum, and Is
supposed to have been built by RORu-
Ius. the Temple of Nesta, the Augura-
forum, where the auspices were con-
suited the house of Tibcrius Claudus
Nero. Gather Of Tiberius Caesar and
the Palace Of the F'lavii.
Dominican made this palace the chief
seat Of the Roman government. 1t com
prised the temple Of Jupiter Stator, sup
posed to have been founded by ROmulus,
and the Basilica JOvis, where the En-
peror pronounced his legal decisions.
The seni-circular tribune. with its gate
Of marble. in lattice work, is still stand
ing. The other principal rooms connect
ed with the palace are the hall Of the
Palatine Library. and the Academia, or
lecture room. There were also vast
number of saloons, courts, gardens,
fountains, etc.
The other principal ruins are the pal
aces of Commodus and Septimus Severus,
the temple Of JupiterN ictOr. Many beau
tiful and valuable statues and busts, IN
marble and bronze, frescO paintings and
other relics have been eXcaTated. and the
work is still going on.
We will now return TO the Arch Of
Titus and proceed by the Via Sacra
about One-fourth of a mile by descend
ing grade We pass a number of name
less ruins on both sides of the street and
arrive at the AmphitheatTum Flavium,
or COLISEUM, which was the largest
theater and one of the most imposing
structures in the world. The gilded
bronze colossal statue of Nero, as god
Of the sun. III feet high, once stood
near here. The Colsium was erected
on the site of an artificial lake belonging
to Nero's gardens. 1t was built by YES
pasian in honor Of Titus, who completed
It in the year 50. Ten thousand Jewish
captivcs were occupied about ten years
in it. construction. Ii was inaugurated
bv gladatorial combats which continued
one hundred DAYS. during which five
thousand wild animals aud ten thousand
captivcs Were killed. and naval cOmbats
represented 1t would accommodate
s.. 900 spectators. The walls are Of
travertine rock. and the inside Of brick.
1t Is nearly circular in form, measuring
G5S feet bv SIS. Is POP feet high. and
covers an area Of about six acres Dur
inc the middle ares. about 0ne-thlrd 0t
aces with. Il Is estimated that tha value
Of the material still remaining j about
=. 800. 600. The COLISEUM has ever been
Y symbol Of the greatness IF ancient
Rome. which @ava rise IT, the Sth cen
fury 10 4 prophetic saving by the Anglo
Saxon pilgrims,
~whfle -tauds the ~""+fsra. ROM shall
When cH- +a~ ,,35slr,n. Rom. shall
fall.
And When Rome tsns--n4 world zoe
4 few hundred PAGES from the Col
isium, on the Esquiliue hill, are the ruins
Of the Baths Of Titus, into which was
the golden palace Of Nero,
which n built with such lavish splen-
dE afte- the burning Of Rome. and
whose suuptuous grounds occupied an
Immense space. The ruins NJ the Baths
are all underground, aud vineyards
growing over them. except that part OC-
cmied by tie palace OF Nero. Many
Of the rooms are sill quite perfect, such
a. the saloon. or audience room. library.
in which was found the celebrated mar
ble work. the LAGOON dining room.
slee1iuC rooms. rooms occupied by
slaves, etc The rooms ll7e very high II
he walls and ON tn ceilings remain
some Of the beautiful fresco paintings,
which. until the discovery of Pompeii.
were the sole specimens Of ancient deco
-atioo If This description. and which
served. a. models for Raphael an3 other
artistk Nero probably burned Rome
hat llc y i.1t have the honor Of rebuild
nc h in @ more magnificent and modern
stylt. aad his own house furnishes \
yo0S example Of the lavish expenditure
f It's conditions munarch.
y. %. r.
LIES BFI6urEsT HorR-Eot long
tr.n r,1nt o trE.rst lnlnr, u IL. = asa.sanl