Category Archives: Rome

Under the Colosseum

Posted on November 13th, 2017 by

It was a thing to see, the Colosseum. This view is from one end (the Emperor’s Box is to your left), the floor of the area would have sat atop these underground chambers and passages (hypogeum). This is where performers (Gladiator, animals and otherwise) were brought in. It was also built with a series of machines…pulleys and trap doors to aid in creating an unexpected environment for those in the arena.

Under the Colosseum
Under the Colosseum

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/6.3
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 16 January, 2016
  • Focal length: 16mm
  • ISO: 400
  • Shutter speed: 1/400s
  • Title: Under the Colosseum

Outside the Colosseum in Rome

Posted on August 28th, 2017 by

Colossal

Rounding off the month of BIG PLACES, how about a place with “big” in the name…the Colosseum in Rome! I was standing outside after my visit. I was truth be told gawking at all the people in line and smiling ever thankfully that I got up early for my visit. The sun was behind part of the facade and I snapped this quick shot of the massive structure!

Outside the Colosseum in Rome
Outside the Colosseum in Rome

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 17 January, 2016
  • Focal length: 26mm
  • ISO: 400
  • Shutter speed: 1/500s
  • Title: Outside the Colosseum in Rome

The Emperor’s Box at the Colosseum in Rome

Posted on May 9th, 2016 by

In Remembrance

This is the box reserved for Cesar. As a penance against religious intolerance, a Christian cross was placed here. Now, historian’s will argue, but it’s improbable that any (or many) Christian’s were thrown to the proverbial lions. It’s not that said atrocity never happened in ancient Rome, but probably not at this particular arena. Regardless, the sight makes for an odd out of place experience and a bit of wonderful photographic contrast in an otherwise ancient structure dedicated to death and mayhem.

The Emperor’s Box at the Colosseum in Rome
The Emperor’s Box at the Colosseum in Rome

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 16 January, 2016
  • Focal length: 16mm
  • ISO: 500
  • Shutter speed: 1/320s
  • Title: The Emperor's Box at the Colosseum in Rome

Porta Magica Rome, Italy

Posted on February 18th, 2016 by

Alchemy Gate

This door was built in the late 1600’s by the Marquis Massimiliano Palombara. There are numerous stories of the doors origins, but this is the only door of 5 on the estate that remain today. Surrounding the door are inscriptions used by alchemists in their attempts at transmutation.

There are many, but I was most struck by the words on the doorway’s steps:

SI NON SEDES IS

This semi-palondrome roughly means, “If you sit, you do not proceed”.

When read right to left:

SI SEDES NON IS

It’s hidden meaning becomes, “If you do not sit, you proceed”.

Porta Magica Rome, Italy
Porta Magica Rome, Italy

Photo Technical Info

The First Time I Saw the Colosseum of Rome

Posted on February 4th, 2016 by

My First Time

It was a crisp winter morning in Rome. Cold by Mediterranean standards, but not by middle American. As a passed through a park that contained some ancient baths, I stopped just the top of my destination, one of the New7Wonders of the World, the Colosseum of Ancient Rome! I finished my way around the streets losing view of this mammoth structure, but there she was, enshrouded by trees. As I rounded the small stair, this was my first view of the Colosseo.

The First Time I Saw the Colosseum of Rome
The First Time I Saw the Colosseum of Rome

Photo Technical Info