Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 17.djvu/283

ROME. 239 ROME. south is a business centre — the Piazza Campo di Fiovc, with a fine bronze statue of Uruno, erected in l.SSI> on the spot whore lie was burned. To the east stood the Theatre of I'onipey. where C;esar was assassinated. Soutlnvest near the Tiber is the splendid Farnese Palace, ponipleted in 1545. It was constructed, in part, by Jlichelanffelo. Some distance to the east is situated the Piazza Tarta- ruga, oonlainint; the elegant bronze Fountain of the Tortoises, dating from 15S5. In this vicinity was also the Ghetto after 1550 — a congeries of mean alleys where the Jews were herded together by law under the Papacy. Here also is found the Cenei-Bolognetti Palace, where dwelt the sad- famed Beatrice. Near by is the noteworthy Por- ticus of Octavia, dating originally from the time of Augustus. The southern part of the modern city formed the site of ancient IJorae. Here are the Palatine, Aventine, and Ca'lian hills, now covered with celebrated ruins, also parks, gardens, vineyards, and orchards, besides churches and convents. All tl'.e region is sparsely inhabited. The top of the Capitoline Hill, approached from the Campus ilartius by magiiilicent staircases at the foot of which IJienzi was slain, is one of the most impres- ■ sive spots in Rome. The majestic sqviare of the Capitol was planned by Jlichelangelo. Among its minor objects of interest are: an ancient group of the horse-taming Dioscuri ; the celebrated bronze equestrian statue of JIarcus Aurelius; and the first milestone of the old Appian Way. The Santa Maria in Aracn?li Church, here, contains a famous H(dy Child (Bambino). On the north end of the Capitol is seen the elaborate new monu- ment of Victor Emmanuel II. The Palace of the Conservatori (on the Capitoline) contains the Xew Capitoline JIuseum. Here are preserved, among antiquities and pictures, many worthy an- cient sculptures. Here, too, is to be seen the far- famed Capitoline wolf, probably the one that was struck by lightning (b.c. G5) in the temple. The Capitoline Museiim of sculpture is also here. The Palace of the Senators, where is housed the civic administration of the city, has features by Jlichelangelo. This was the site of the ancient Tabularium. The Tarpeian Pock is on the south- east side of the Capitoline Hill, to the cast-south- east of which extends the long site rich with the ruins of the Roman Forum, Colosseum, etc. On the south of the Forinn rises the Palatine Hill. The impressive ruins, threaded by the pavement of the ancient Sacra Via, consist mostly of surface constructions. Of the isolated columns standing, those of the temple of Castor and Pollux are the most beautiful. The only construction here re- maining practically in perfect condition is the Arch of Scptimius Severus, dating from A,D. 203. Farther on toward the Colosseum rise three vast and impressive arches of the ancient Basilica of Constantine, constructed in his period. To the southeast stands the fine Arch of Titus, with reliefs, dedicated a.d. 81. East of the Arch at some little distance away rises the ruin of the magnificent Colosseum. (See Ampiiitiie.^the.) It stands in the ancient gardens of Nero's Golden House. Its effect by moonlight and under arti- ficial light is exceptionally grand. Southwest is the splendid Triumphal Arch of Constantine, con- structed in 312. North of the Roman Forum were the magnifi- cent fora of the emperors, scant remains of which now exist. Part of the old Mamertine prison, where Jugurtha and VercingetoriN met their death, is still to lie .seen under u church in the vicinity. The tinest of these fora vu« the superb Furuni of Trajan, unequaled for splenilor. In il^ northwestern part ri.ses the niagnilicent niiirl>le Trajan's Cohnnn, with a total height of uliDut 150 feet. Its reliefs contain 2500 liuniiin ligure^. A statue of Saint Peter rises on the suuniiit. Trajan was buried underneath the colunui. On the Palatine Hill are the vast ruined sur- face constructions and substructures of the pal- aces of the emperors. This was tlic site of the Roma Quadrata, parts of whose walls are still to be seen. The excavations here, ns in the fora, have been very extensive ami costly. The chief ruins seen on the hill are those of "the Palace of Tiberius; the House of Livia, the wife of Augus- tus, with unexcelled frescoes, and altogether a most interesting edilice, being a complete Roman house; the mighty Palace of Augustus: the Stu- ' diuni; and the PaMlagogium, or school for the slaves of the cmiienus. At the western foot of the Palatine is the fine Janus Quadrifrons. a four- faced arched passage. Under this district passes the great ancient Cloaca JIaxinui (q.v.) from the Forum. It still discharges iulo the Tiber near by. in the proximity of this emptying point is an attractive little marble circular temple, with 20 Corinthian columns. Close by is another inter- esting and ancient temple. Ionic in style, now the Church of Santa JIaria Egiziaca. To the south- east and along the southwestern foot of the Pala- tine Hill formerly stretched the immense Circus JIaximus. Only its siuface construction remains to view. The adjoining Aventine district in Southern Rome is now' covered with monastic institutions and picturesque old gardens. Of the three churches on the crown of the Aventine the Santa Sabina is of the most importance. It dates from a.d. 425, and was the headquarters of Saint Dominic and his brotherhood. Near by is to be had the famous peep-hole view of the dome of Saint Peter. Some distance to the southwest from the Aventine Hill, and in a bend of the Til>er. rises Jlontc Testaceio, a solitary niomid 115 feet high. It is said to have been formed of broken earthen jars, which came chiefly from Africa and were unpacked in the vicinity. To the east and in the vicinity is the well-known Protestant cemetery of Rome, a fine spot with noble trees. Here are buried Shelley. Keats. Trelawney. .7. A. Symonds, and .Tohn (iibson. Not far away is the ancient Pyra- mid of Cestius, the tond) of the Pnrtor Cestius Epulo. It is lie feet high, and is inclosed with marble slabs. In the section of the city southeast of the Palatine extends the ancient Via Appia, now transformed into a modern street. Along the route the huge ruins of the Baths of Caraealla (q.v.) are soon reached. Farther along are to he seen various old Roman tombs and eolinnharia, highl.v interesting as showing ancient burial cus- toms. Especially so is the Columbarium of the Freedmen of Octavia. Nero's wife, with its niches and stucco decorations and colors. North of this region and cast-southeast of the Palatine is the district of the Ca-lian Hill, with its various churches and religious associations, which date from the time of the .posfles. At its western foot is the San Gregorio Magno Church, noted for its role in the lives of Saint Gregory and Saint Ausustine. In the vicinity is the litth' Church of Santi Giovanni e Paolo, dating from