DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.63447#0037
SKETCH OE ANCIENT IMPERIAL ROME. 21
porticoes, and thermae which met the eye in Rome was
bewildering.
The forums were counted by hundreds, and the finest
were known by the names of Caesar, Augustus, Nerva,
Domitian, and Trajan (where the famous column known
by his name stands to this day).
The monuments of Rome were distinguished by a
massive solidity, expressive of wealth and might. Such
were those dedicated to the Antonines, the column of
Marcus Aurelius, the famous Stadium of Domitian, the
Mausoleum of Augustus, the Sepulchre of the Emperors ;
and, on the other side of the Tiber, the vast round tower,
the Tomb of Hadrian, now Forte Sant’ Angelo, witness
to many historic tragedies throughout more modern
times.
Of the great ancient Roman temples, that dedicated to
Venus and Rome was amongst the finest ; the archi-
tecture was Corinthian, and the size colossal. The roof
was gilt, and amongst other wonders of art, it contained
the colossal statue of Nero, by Zendodorus.
One of the chief luxuries of Rome was the excellence
and abundance of the waters, which magnificent aque-
ducts conveyed into the city. Perpetual streams flowed
from nympheums and fountains, and fed innumerable
thermal establishments ; the latter (the resort of the
idle and luxurious) were replete with every luxury of
marble, mosaic, bronze, ivory, gems, and the precious
metals. The most celebrated among these were perhaps
the Thermae of Titus, of Constantine, of Caracalla, and
those of Diocletian on the Viminal. The latter were
principally erected by “slave labour,” thousands of
unfortunate Christians having been condemned to the
task. These vast thermae branched out in a variety of
directions, and were marvels of extent and of taste.
There was, besides all this, and just outside the city
of Rome, along the famous Appian Way, a mighty “City
of the Dead,” outside and near to the “ City of
the Living.” And again, on the outskirts of the
town, there were vast pleasure-grounds and gardens,
porticoes, and thermae which met the eye in Rome was
bewildering.
The forums were counted by hundreds, and the finest
were known by the names of Caesar, Augustus, Nerva,
Domitian, and Trajan (where the famous column known
by his name stands to this day).
The monuments of Rome were distinguished by a
massive solidity, expressive of wealth and might. Such
were those dedicated to the Antonines, the column of
Marcus Aurelius, the famous Stadium of Domitian, the
Mausoleum of Augustus, the Sepulchre of the Emperors ;
and, on the other side of the Tiber, the vast round tower,
the Tomb of Hadrian, now Forte Sant’ Angelo, witness
to many historic tragedies throughout more modern
times.
Of the great ancient Roman temples, that dedicated to
Venus and Rome was amongst the finest ; the archi-
tecture was Corinthian, and the size colossal. The roof
was gilt, and amongst other wonders of art, it contained
the colossal statue of Nero, by Zendodorus.
One of the chief luxuries of Rome was the excellence
and abundance of the waters, which magnificent aque-
ducts conveyed into the city. Perpetual streams flowed
from nympheums and fountains, and fed innumerable
thermal establishments ; the latter (the resort of the
idle and luxurious) were replete with every luxury of
marble, mosaic, bronze, ivory, gems, and the precious
metals. The most celebrated among these were perhaps
the Thermae of Titus, of Constantine, of Caracalla, and
those of Diocletian on the Viminal. The latter were
principally erected by “slave labour,” thousands of
unfortunate Christians having been condemned to the
task. These vast thermae branched out in a variety of
directions, and were marvels of extent and of taste.
There was, besides all this, and just outside the city
of Rome, along the famous Appian Way, a mighty “City
of the Dead,” outside and near to the “ City of
the Living.” And again, on the outskirts of the
town, there were vast pleasure-grounds and gardens,