Rome is my most favorite city in the entire world.

The Capitoline museum is absolutely amazing. It has the bronze Marcus Aurelius on his horse, the giant Constantine the Great statue, the bronze of Romulus and Remus sucking on the teats of the wolf and so much more. It is in contention with the Vatican museum (because it has my favorite statue of Augustus) for being the best museum in the world. The backside of the museum opens up and gives fantastic views of the forum. The forum is what remains of the ancient forum from the glory days. Just walking around the forum gives you a sense of awe and amazement that people were able to do all that so long ago.

There are two great great buildings in Rome. One is the Coliseum the other is the Pantheon. The Coliseum is absolutely amazing. It would be a feat to build it today with modern technology and the Romans built it with no computers, cranes, blueprints, etc. At night it is even more spectacular lit up (see Colisem at night gallery). The Pantheon is the greatest building man has ever created. It was the largest dome from 128 AD until 1881 AD. It is still the world's largest un-reinforced solid concrete dome. It shows how great Rome was to have a dome that large that no one could surpass until 1753 years later.

Near the Pantheon is Giolitti, the best gelato in Rome. It is always crowded and after one taste I can see why. I only had 4 cones while in Rome but I will have at least 4 more when I go back. Also not too far away is the column of Marcus Aurelius. The spiral reliefs ascending the column depict the story of Marcus’ Danubian wars waged from 166 to his death. Trajan also has a column in Rome. His is much better preserved and tell the story of his victory in the Dacian Wars. Both are impressive.

Continuing east from the Pantheon past the column of Marcus Aurelius you will reach the Trevi fountain. It could be one of the most famous fountains in the world and is very impressive. What is more impressive than the fountain (to me at least) is that it is fed by aqueducts that were built in 19 AD. Rome is still fed by many aqueducts that were built before the birth of Christ. I would like to think that the Roman tap water I drank came to my mouth by way of an ancient aqueduct because it was the best water I have ever tasted.

In the northern part of the city there is the Villa Borghese. It is 148 acres of beautiful gardens with what I hear a very good art galley on the grounds. I am not so hot on art so I did not go inside the galley and have no comments on the quality. The park I enjoyed a lot. While walking around you forget you are in a large city. It was very peaceful and it looks like the locals go there to make out with their dates.

Rome is the eternal city that has been there for over 2700 years. It was home to some of the greatest men to walk the face of this earth such as Julius Caesar, Augustus, Trajan, Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius. Its greatness is apparent in our daily life today. Without Rome civilization would be lost. We went to the Vatican while in Rome

According to Gibbon (and I agree)

“If a man were called to fix the period in the history of the world during which the condition of the human race was most happy and prosperous, he would, without hesitation, name that which elapsed from the death of Domitian to the accession of Commodus. The vast extent of the Roman Empire was governed by absolute power, under the guidance of virtue and wisdom. The armies were restrained by the firm but gentle hand of four successive emperors, whose characters and authority commanded respect. The forms of the civil administration were carefully preserved by Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian and the Antonines, who delighted in the image of liberty, and were pleased with considering themselves as the accountable ministers of the laws. Such princes deserved the honour of restoring the republic had the Romans of their days been capable of enjoying a rational freedom.”