The Colosseum, the Forum and the Palatine Hill

It was another relatively early start for us as we had to be at the Colosseum before 9am for our 3.5 hour tour.  The weather is hot so we were glad it was a morning tour.  Our guide was an archeologist and we were very grateful when she took us to an entry point away from the teeming crowds of people lining up to get a ticket.  It was an excellent tour and helped to dispel a few myths (Christians were not fed to lions at the Colosseum) and clarify what is known and what is still conjecture.  It is a massive structure, even today and enough of its original features exist for you to imagine how it would have looked and operated.  The platform to indicate the floor of the arena is really helpful and the example of wooden pulleys and ramps to bring gladiators and animals up from below was great.

The Forum was also interesting we were able to see where Julius Caesar was cremated and the various basilicas that still remain.  On the Palatine Hill, we saw where Octavius and his wife lived in lavish style, and why the myth of Romulus and Remus is important to the Romans.  

At the end of our tour we were very hot and foot sore, so we took a hop on hop off bus around the city, just to provide us with some shade and rest.  We didn't hop off until we'd been around twice.