Italy 2

A day of ruins

(please be patient again, putting this all together on my little cell phone)

The Colosseum, commissioned by Vespasian in 72 AD (two years after he commissioned the destruction of Jerusalem), and completed in 80 AD under his son and successor Titus (I know who wants the general in charge of the destruction of Jerusalem). It could seat up to 80,000 people, and was used for gladiator games, executions, and at some point was flooded for reenactment of sea battles!

This was the site of the martyrdom of Ignatius of Antioch, together with many unnumbered Christian martyrs.

It is difficult to capture the size. It really os, well, colossal.

The Arch of Titus, 81 AD, commissioned by Domitian and given by the Roman Senate to vespion to celebrate the triumph of Vespian and Titus over the Jewish rebellion.

(The depiction of the menorah being carried out of the temple is the same one used on the Israeli flag, I've been told.)

(It's amazing to me to see what Roma was building when they were tearing down Jerusalem.)

Roman Forum, the heart of ancient Rome.

Pompeii, unfortunately situated at the foot of Mt. Vesuvius, was frozen in time when the volcano exploded on August 24, 79 AD. (Maybe, the archaeologists are now saying, the date should be October 24th. But the August date is easier to remember.)

These ruins are stunning, I really do give you an idea of what an ancient city was like. The wagon ruts in this stone roads, the sidewalks, houses for middle class, slaves, and wealthy, the square and the markets and the fast food places (really!). I think I would have hundreds of pictures of my phone battery wouldn't have run out after about six

Here are some of Keri's pictures:

The City square with the pagan temple, right across from the meat market. This reminds us of Paul's concern about eating meat sacrifice to idols, discussed in the Corinthian letters.

Mount Vesuvius destroyed Pompeii only a year before the Colosseum was completed. There was a lot happening around here in the hundred years before and after the birth of Jesus.

Christ is risen!

PrBW