The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-12-29
IMPERIAL ROME REBUILT
THE CITY OF THE CESARS SHOWN
IN IT'S SPLENDOR.
Notable NIOIeI ~ Temples, Palaces and
Monuments Constructed by an Italian
scholar Who Has Made Ancient leOme
Isis Life Study-A vast Undertaking.

ISIS Lie Stuuy-A vast 1uucTNANshSs
ROME, Dec. Il.-Prof. Maroeliani. a
modest but learned Rrcheologist who has
made the topography OF ancient Rome a
life study, has after seventeen months OF
patient and careful work sucCeeded in re-
constructing in terra Gotta the principal
buildings Of imperial Rome. His models,
complete in every detail, are now exhibited
In a hall near the Forum.
To attempt an ~adequate even though
brief description OF Prof. Marcelliani $
work would Ill volumes. Nothing short
Of a treatise on ancient topography would
civ a correct idea of this vast undertaking.
which il meant more for students Of vhs
ology than for ordinary sightseers. A
thorough knowledge of Roman history il
Indispensable in order TO appreciate the
work and 20 realize how faithfully the re-
construction of the it contains
has been done. Still. even to the uninitiated
the reconstructed city OF the Csesars will be
interesting. ,--s' aIi . -
The models Of the various imperial build
ings are made OF terra Gotta, painted and
often gilded after the style OF their originals.
The different kinds OF marbles, the color of
bronze, the statues, tiles and trees are all
faithfully reproduced.
Sometimes a single broker column has
served TO reconstruct a whole portico, the
representation OF a temple on an old coin
has been copied in the present reconstruc-
ton, and when such materials were lacking
old prints, descriptions by classic authors
and the researches Of learned men Ia past
generations nave been utilized and made
TO serve for the reproduction Of temples.
palaces, basilicas and fora. OF which not
49,. .S.-A;nx -n avnnNhar avsaSa
at the present day,
The AmphitheatruIn Elavium. or Coliseum,
/. tho most prominent building in Prof.
MarceIIiani's model Of imperial Rome. IL
stands Isolated, wonderful and immense, a
striking monument. rightly compared in
magnitude with the pyramids Of Egypt. in
tact and complete rs L. stood before fire.
earthquakes and modern generations he'd
reduced IL to ruins.
stone cippi surround the huge building.
The imperial box. painted and with gilded
mtucoo reliefs. Is seen between the ninetsen
arches, and the poles for the awning are on
the roof.
The colossal statue OF Nero or OF the Sun
in EiIt bronze, the work Of Zonodorus, with
the seven rays around its head. may be seen
near the Coliseum. with the Meta Sudans on
the left. back Of the Colossus Is the Temple
Of Venus and Rome, Veneris et Rome, and
Immediately behind 1t the Basilica Of Con-
stantine. with It's ave and two aisles, Its
vaulted ceiling supported by eight futed
columns OF -proOonnesian marble, and its
entrances on tho Via Sacra, decorated with
four large columns OF ~pOrphyry.
On the opposite side OF the CIivus Sacer is
the Porticus Margaritaria. an arcade for
jewellers and goldsmiths. supported by ten
rows OF stone pilasters. where the ns0ofid-
torres exhibited their precious merchandise
in booths and, in shops made by means OF
brick walls raised between pairs Of stone
pilasters. ,-trr,a
Further along on the same line follows the
House Of the Vestals, an oblong brick build
ing surrounded by streets on every side, It's
most prominent feature being the atrium
from which the whole building 10 often
named. Its architecture may DO compared
% that Of q medisval double storisd ~cloisser,