The Curia or Senate Chamber was frequent target of political unrest

Reconstruction of the Curia or Senate Chamber, originally uploaded by mharrsch.

The Curia was the meeting place of the Senate. The original Curia was built by the third king of Rome, Tullus Hostilius. It burnt down four times, first in 80 B.C. Diocletian built the current structure shortly after the devastating fire of 283 C.E. on the site of an earlier curia begun by Julius Caesar and completed by Octavianus (Augustus) in 29 B.C.E. The lower half of the building was once faced with marble, the upper half with stucco. The holes in the facade once supported the chalcidicum - a portico built by Augustus to house the senate's vast collection of records. The Curia could seat up to 200 senators.

Forgive and Forget

Temple of Antonius and Faustina, originally uploaded by mharrsch.

Although it was said that Faustina, the Emperor Antonius' wife was serially unfaithful, he nonetheless dedicated this temple to her in 141 C.E. After his death, it was rededicated to them both. In the 11th century the temple was converted to a church named San Lorenzo because it was thought that San Lorenzo had been condemned to death there. The church was later rebuilt in 1601.

Indentification of Temple of Divus Romulus still debated

Temple of Divus Romulus, originally uploaded by mharrsch.

One of the few structures relatively still intact in the Forum is the Temple of Divus Romulus. Although one might think this is a shrine to one of the founders of Rome it is actually said to have been built to honor the son of Maxentius, who died in 307 C.E. Scholars are not in agreement on this, however.

The massive bronze door is quite impressive and the flanking columns are carved from porphyry, a purple stone mined in north Africa.

My first visit to Rome Day 1 part 4

Forum Romanum, originally uploaded by mharrsch.

I could hardly get over my amazement at actually being in the Roman Forum in person after reading so much about all of the famous people of history who have been there before me!

"Originally the area of the Forum was wet and covered in grass, as it was not suitable for building. A necropolis has been found, dating from the 10th century BCE, but otherwise the area doesn't seem to have been used. This changed in the 7th century with the construction of the Cloaca Maxima. This sewer system, which was enclosed and covered to drain the areawas based on a natural stream, was a sign that the settlements on the Palatine Hill was spreading into the valley." - Rome-Italy.org.uk.

A stroll down the Sacred Way

Via Sacra, originally uploaded by mharrsch.

We walked down the Via Sacra to the Forum Romanum. Roman roads are actually rather difficult for a pedestrian to walk upon. There is a narrow strip of small paving stones to the left of the larger Roman paving stones that I used because they were far more comfortable to tread. I think, however, they were a later addition.

Constantine raided monuments to Trajan and Hadrian to build triumphal arch

Frieze on the Arch of Constantine 1, originally uploaded by mharrsch.

Since so much of the remains of ancient Rome had been stripped of their marble and original ornamentation, I was pleasantly surprised to find the Arch of Constantine in such good condition. The friezes were wonderfully detailed and I took quite a few detail photos of all of the ornamentation. I learned, however, that Constantine, himself, raided the monuments of Trajan and Hadrian to construct this triumphal arch erected to commemorate his victory over Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge in 315 C.E.

Modern Reenactors work the crowds at the Colosseum

Friends Romans Countrymen, originally uploaded by mharrsch.

Although I didn't get to see any gladiators in costume near the Colosseum, I did see this fellow dressed in legionary regalia. These "professional" Roman soldiers and a fellow dressed as a Roman senator lure tourists over for a rather expensive photo session (I was told it was something like 35 EUR). I took this clandestine shot with my 12X zoom lens.

We had a wonderful lunch at a sidewalk cafe across the street from the Colosseum. I had an absolutely delicious tortellini with sweet cream sauce that was exquisite and Pat had a creamy spaghetti carbonara which we topped off with real Italian tiramisu.

Plays are occasionally staged on the rebuilt arena floor of the Colosseum

At the Colosseum I spent quite a bit of time photographing the hypogeum, the area beneath the wooden arena floor, where there was a complex set of rooms and passageways for wild beasts and other provisions for staging the spectacles. In 107 CE, Emperor Trajan is said to have celebrated his victories in Dacia with contests involving 11,000 animals and 10,000 gladiators within 123 days.  A portion of the floor has now been rebuilt and occasionally plays are presented to modern audiences.

My first visit to Rome Day 1 Part 1

Colosseum as seen from the Domus Aurea
Photograph by Mary Harrsch

I arrived in Rome today and my friend Pat Hunter and I have already walked our legs off! Although I had flown for almost 20 hours, I was too excited to rest so we headed out for some site seeing right away. Of course I wanted to see the Colosseum first. There is a park across the street from the Colosseum where the remains of the Domus Aurea (Nero's Golden House) is located. We were told the next presentation would not be held for another hour and forty minutes so we strolled through the park over to the Colosseum.

"The Colosseum or Flavian Amphitheater was begun by Vespasian, inaugurated by Titus in 80 A.D. and completed by Domitian. Located on marshy land between the Esquiline and Caelian Hills, it was the first permanent amphitheater to be built in Rome." - Great Buildings Online

I liked taking this photo of the Colosseum because you don't see the traffic in front of it from this viewpoint. I also wanted to capture images of the emperor's box and the gladiators' gate.

The price of admission includes a multimedia show projected on hanging panels of fabric inside the Colosseum's passageways. I wish I could have seen a battle reenactment.

Great Blacks In Wax Museum

Booker T Washington, originally uploaded by mharrsch.

I am always a fan of wax museums and when I read about the "Great Blacks In Wax" Museum in Baltimore I had to include it in my schedule when I attended a conference there in October 2004. I found the visit very interesting since my knowledge of famous African-Americans was pretty much limited to George Washington Carver, Frederick Douglas, Booker T. Washington and Martin Luther King.

Although some of the older figures are basically costumed manniquins, the newer figures are quality wax sculptures equal to those I have seen at Madame Tussaud's in Las Vegas. I don't necessarily agree with the depiction of Hannibal as a black African (he was descended from a Phoenician noble family that colonized Carthage) or Imhotep as black (his image is depicted in ancient Egyptian murals as having a red complexion not the black of a Nubian). There were Nubian pharaohs that are documented in Egyptian history and I would have preferred an exhibit of them with a model of one of their distinctive silver sarcophagi. However, I found much of the information presented fascinating and well worth the visit. The museum also features a well stocked gift shop where I picked up a beautifully illustrated book about Addy, the black "American Girl" from Mattel's doll series, and some excellent videos about ancient civilizations.

See more images of the Great Blacks in Wax Museum

Dariush Grand Hotel, Kish Island, Iran

Dariush Grand Hotel, Kish Island, originally uploaded by Mahdi Ayat's iRAN Project.

I saw this beautiful picture while browsing the images tagged 'ancient' up at Flickr.com. I have been to a number of the "themed" hotels in Las Vegas including the Luxor, the Venetian, and Caesar's Palace but none of them hold a candle to this spectacular wonder of the modern world. I only wish our government would make a serious effort to normalize relations with Iran so those of us who enjoy learning about the country and it's fascinating history could visit and enjoy a setting as marvelous as this!

U.S. Cavalry Museum well worth a look

Cavalry bugler background, originally uploaded by mharrsch.

If you find yourself driving through Kansas on Interstate 70, set aside some time to stop by the U.S. Cavalry Museum housed in a former base hospital at Fort Riley, Kansas. The museum displays not only artifacts, uniforms, and equipment dating back to the Revolutionary War but outstanding oil paintings and bronze sculptures of members of the elite 7th Cavalry. If you are really fortunate, you may be able to tour the last home of George Armstrong Custer as well (sadly, it was closed when we were there). Remember though, that Ft. Riley is a secured military compound. To gain admittance to the base you must first stop and obtain a visitor's pass. You will be required to provide photo ID. Admission to the museum is free but donations are gladly accepted. Read more about our visit here.

Victoria Parliament

Victoria Parliament 5.JPG, originally uploaded by mharrsch.

Recently my sister and I visited Victoria, British Columbia on a "Girls Weekend Out" trip. We had a marvelous time! We caught the ferry at Port Angeles, Washington then a pedicab driven by a very insistent, very interesting college student to our hotel.

Our three day visit was packed with places to go from morning to night. We enjoyed a wonderful traveling exhibit about Ancient Egypt at the Royal British Columbia Museum. They also had fascinating and beautifully displayed local exhibits as well.

See additional photos of the Royal BC Museum.

We are both doll collectors fascinated by historical costume so we had a great time at the Royal London Wax Museum.

See additional photos of the Royal London Wax Museum!

We ate delicious fish and chips at the Millstone Restaurant. We sampled delicate English hoers d'oevres at high tea at the Empress Hotel.

We browsed the antique shops of Fort Street and marveled at the beautiful stained glass windows of the Victorian mansion, Craigdarroch Castle.

Photos of Craigdarroch Castle

See additional photos of Victoria, British Columbia!

Aladdin remodel eliminates Middle Eastern theme

Alladin Desert Passages street scene1, originally uploaded by mharrsch.

Some distressing news about the Aladdin Hotel with the Middle Eastern theme. When I stayed there just a few years ago it had just opened. I enjoyed the frescoes of Middle Eastern history, the Moroccan shopping environment, and the Middle Eastern cuisine in the Spice Market buffet. I read yesterday that it was acquired by Planet Hollywood, Inc. and is being totally remodelled into a boxy, sterile, Hollywood-themed venue. I can't help but suspect it is in response to our current administration's ridiculous paranoia about anything reflecting Islamic culture. How disgusting! At least I am thankful that I had an opportunity to enjoy it before it is swept away. I also see they are planning to partition the Aladdin's Center for the Performing Arts into smaller theaters - probably to feature the usual Vegas fare of comedians, impersonators, and magicians. This is also unfortunate as I thoroughly enjoyed the Broadway musical "Beauty and the Beast" that I attended in their existing theater. I also read that the pirate ships in front of Treasure Island are headed for the scrap yard to be replaced by Pirates vs. Sexy Sirens! Casino owners apparently have not been satisfied with their ROI since Vegas started catering to families several years ago. Now, I guess, they've decided to forget that strategy and go back to their usual bawdy bread and butter shows.

At least one bit of interesting news stated that a new hotel with an Australian theme shaped like the Sydney Opera House is in the works. It has potential but I was hoping for something with a Moscow theme myself.

Check out my other Las Vegas images!

Picturesque Street Light Beside London Bridge

Picturesque Street Light Beside London Bridge, originally uploaded by mharrsch.

On our vacation this past Spring, I took a 19 mile diversion off of Arizona Interstate 40 to get a chance to see London Bridge. I was a little disappointed that the magnificent guard towers were no longer on the bridge. I was told they were retained in Great Britain. However, it was a beautiful morning and was very relaxing to stroll along the lakeside plaza beside the bridge. There are little shops to browse and I did buy myself a little chip from the original bridge stone to commemorate my visit. I would have liked to have had at least tea and crumpets at the little English restaurant but they were not yet open.

Check out the rest of my London Bridge images.