The Heat Persists but so do i

632 words 3 minute read time DOUBLE POST + Palatine Extra Credit

The day started off a bit stressful because I thought I was going to be running late to meet the group, and my Google Maps took me every which way possible before getting me on track. I downloaded the map of the city so that I could use Google Maps even if I wasn’t able to get a connection, but I guess it backfired on me. I was also sad because that was the day after my brother left Italy, so I was a bit emotionally drained. I was happy for the weekend we spent together because why argue with your brother in America when you can do it in Italy (jokes jokes). Out of all seriousness, I really appreciated him stopping by Rome to see me, and I was a bit sad that we didn’t get to do more. He would’ve loved the activity we did today.

We met at a smaller entrance and then had to move back up to the central entrance. While going through the Forum, I liked to see the variety of different columns that were there. I especially found it interesting that within the arch pictured below, there were holes for support beams. I also found it very interesting that they would take the supportive metal from within structures and reuse it, and the structure would not fall. The Romans definitely over-engineered, and it worked in their favor.

During the course of the class, it finally stuck which columns are called which, and my favorite was seeing the Corinthian columns on the Temple of Castor and Pollux. I loved how grand they were, and personally, which I also found to be a common theme, is that I adore spaces that overwhelm me and fill me with emotion.

The Romans are constantly repurposing, especially when I saw the temple that was transformed into a Catholic Church. It is sort of jarring to think about whether these sites would still be standing if they weren’t transformed into a Catholic Church or repurposed for Catholicism.

Rachel and Jessica’s presentation was fascinating, and I certainly want to learn more about the Vestal Virgins. Their position in society was interesting because they were guarded, protected, and held a certain power that ordinary women didn’t have during the time. The Vestal Virgins were allowed to be buried in the city, which, as we know, the Romans typically buried the dead outside their walls. The exchange of this power came with a price, and they had to walk a fine line. The punishments were cruel and harsh, such as being buried alive because you couldn’t spill the blood of a Vestal Virgin.

A group of us went to visit the Palatine, which I found to be very beautiful. Walking throughout the forum was peaceful, and we got to see not nature taking over, but the decay of something old. Honestly, I’m not sure how to articulate what I’m trying to say. We visited the museums, and a couple of people in the group packed a lunch, and we sat in the shade for what felt like the first time in a minute. Later, Joseph and I broke off from the group and went to another small exhibit in the forum. There, I saw many funerary objects that intrigued me because I am obsessed with death cultures in different societies. After that, we were hungry and decided to get something to eat. We walked to this small restaurant that perfectly had a table for two, although it was in a sort of hallway, so it was pretty packed. The food was excellent! After that, we went to a thrift shop where I bought the perfect white skirt. We then took the bus back together. Overall it was a great day, very hot, but great!