Rome is Italy’s biggest and most populated city. It sits on the shores of the Tiber River, in the western side of the nation, about half way down the Italian Peninsula. There has been evidence of human inhabitation in the location of modern day day Rome for over 14,000 years, but the city as we know it was, according to mythology, founded in 753 BC by the brothers Romulus and Remus. About 500 BC the city of Rome rebelled against the Etruscans and formed the Roman Republic, which was, and nevertheless is, a seat of European energy. Student tours to study the history of Rome will not be hard-pressed to uncover subjects, but two of the most interesting testaments to the history of the city and the empire are the Coliseum and the Arch of Constantine.

The Coliseum – Initially identified as the Flavian Amphitheatre (named immediately after the emperors of the Flavian dynasty who built it), this imposing structure now sits beside a busy motorway referred to as the Piazza del Colosseo and is Rome’s most recognisable symbol. Young historians on student tours can wander about the massive 188 metre by 156 metre oval structure and revel in the palpable history of the Coliseum. Construction was started by the Emperor Vespasian in 70-72 AD and was completed by his son Titus in 80 AD. There are 4 stories and it had seats for over 50,000 spectators, with particular regions for the Emperor and the vestal virgins. Tours will lead students about the lowest level above the arena floor, which would have originally been covered with wood and sand (to soak up the blood!), but which no longer exists. However, the hypogeum’s intricate, subterranean, two-level structures of passages, holding areas, and tunnels can nevertheless be clearly seen though moving about the Coliseum. In addition to the components of the hypogeum you can see, these on student tours can now take a journey down into the network of passageways to get an concept of what it ought to have been like to be waiting to go into the arena to fight for your life.

Arch of Constantine – Located in between the Coliseum (and easily visible from some of the outer levels inside the Coliseum) and the Palatine Hill, the Arch of Constantine rises up in commemoration of Constantine the First’s victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge, in October of 312 AD. Student tours to Rome can include things like a visit to the Arch and place it into its essential historical context for young students. Looking by means of its three archways, astute students may well note how it is modelled soon after the Arch of Septimius Severus on the Roman Forum just a quick walk away. The Arch rises up 21 meters high, is 25.9 meters wide and spans the By means of Triumphalis – the road the emperors marched when they returned to Rome in triumph. The arch itself is decorated with adornments from older monuments, and it is stated that the base of the Arch may possibly have been taken from an older structure as well. The key inscription is identical on each sides of the principal archway and is written in Latin, commemorating Constantine’s glorious victory. Inside best walking tour of rome are phrases committed to the emperor and his location in Rome’s history, which study: (translated) ‘Liberator of the City’ and ‘Founder of Peace’.