Place to see: Palatine Hill, Rome, Italy

Postcards about Palatine Hill:

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  29 June 2008
  From:
  Anne Beach

  Roman mythology has always said that Romulus and Remus were born to the god of war and the princess Rhea. Fearing danger, Rhea set them afloat on the Tiber where a she-wolf rescued, suckled and nurtured them. In 2007, some archeologists believe they actually found the cave where the twins were raised as they investigated under the first century house of Augustus on the Palatine Hill. Other archeologists say that finding this cave does not prove it is the actual Lupernal Cave. It is partially collapsed and fragile, so it requires study with endoscopes, and sophisticated remote scanning devices.

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  29 June 2008
  From:
  Anne Beach

  Rome is famous for its seven hills; the Palatine Hill is the most celebrated central hill and actually predates Rome itself which did not become a city until 753 BC. Archeologists have found Bronze Age pots and tools there. The Palatine Hill is believed to be the oldest colony of Roman citizens, dating back to the 10th century BC in the time of Romulus ( makes 1492 look slightly tame, doesn't it?). Standing here, you survey the Roman Forum and can imagine Vestal Virgins, virtuous orators, venial visits with prostitutes and the victorious veni, vidi, vici.

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  29 June 2008
  From:
  Anne Beach

  Location, location, location--this was the place to live in ancient Rome. It not only had the spectacular view of the Forum 40 meters below, but it was even believed, and later substantiated by scientists, that the air was healthier than the air at lower elevations. Rome began here with the mythology of Romulus and Remus raised by the she-wolf. Even the luxurious villas built in the years of the Republic were soon supplanted by imperial palaces. Your neighbors would be Augustus, Marc Anthony, Tiberius, Domitian, Livia, Nero and Caligula. How's that for keeping up with the Jones?

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  29 June 2008
  From:
  Anne Beach

  Archeologists discovered the house where Augustus, Rome's original emperor was thought to have been born. This early home is one of a very few Republican villas that did not end up overbuilt by an imperial palace, and this helped make it accessible. There was a Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD, and this was the occasion of much of the overbuilding. The house has two floors with a central atrium, is decorated with mosaics and frescoes, and had three shops on the ground floor. It is postioned on the slope of the Palatine Hill that overlooks the Coliseum.

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  29 June 2008
  From:
  Anne Beach

  There is a Palatine Antiquarian Museum in which collected artifacts, ceramics, frescoes, mosaics, inscriptions, sculptures and portrait heads actually found on the hill in the excavations are displayed. It was built on the site of Domitian's palace which was the largest palace in Rome for 3 centuries. Remains of Domitian's palace survive on either side. It is a pleasant and interesting museum, especially if you have read up on your history first, and it is not an overwhelming size.

  The House of Augustus in 2006 and the possible Lupercal Cave in 2007, I don't know about you, but I am wishing I were an archeologist in Rome today.

• 

  29 June 2008
  From:
  Anne Beach

  Your first reward after ascending the 40 meter elevation from the Forum is one of the most magnificent views in Rome. Stretched before you is the Roman Forum, and you become a witness to one of the most glorious civilizations ever. Although the temples and buildings are largely in ruins, some stately columns remain as vigilant sentinels, and footprints of buildings are visible. On this inspired ground, your imagination hears the footsteps of Roman emperors, senators and citizens as they carried out their commerce, justice, legislative and worship duties. Rome's very rise and fall are displayed there before you.