A potpourri of Roman tidbits

Typical Roman street, not much different from Ancient Rome

October 26, 2018 - A potpourri of Roman tidbits today. There is a general strike today, they are common here, of the public transport system so our planned excursion to Tivoli had to be postponed. So we took a random walk and discovered all kinds of treasures in this amazing city. Here are a few-

If you want to know what life was like for the day to day Roman in ancient times, the first picture is a good example. The streets are from that era with narrow lanes and 4 to 5 story buildings. Everything is out on the crowded street. Here Colleen is buying some artichokes while a lamp is being repaired above her. Just out of the shot on the left is a man stripping a desk of old paint. Cars that are too big for these narrow lanes are constantly trying to snake through. (Imagine horses and carts in their day). And people, including the waste they create, are everywhere.

The next is a picture of Colleen on Via Margutta. It is near the Spanish Steps. It is a lovely ivy draped narrow lane that was the back drop for Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in the classic “A Roman Holiday”.

Via Margutta

Then you see a picture of Colleen entering the Basilica of Saint Sylvester The First. You will notice how ordinary the outer facade appears and that is typical of very early churches. It was illegal to meet as Christians, so Mass was held in homes. But in the next picture just inside the door , you can see how they made up for lost time. It is a soaring testimony to late Baroque style. Baroque, like fashion, was a style that architects embraced for a time. In simple terms it means “Over the top”. Or “we need more Angels here!”

The Basilica of Saint Sylvester

The Nave in Saint Sylvester Church in classical Baroque style

However, in the final shot - if you turn left in the same Basilica you will find a very small Chapel. We found this place through Atlas Obscura. -

The box

“What’s in the box....What’s in the box?!!” - Brad Pitt from the movie ‘Seven’

Why that would be the head of John the Baptist. What it interesting is this is one of four churches (the others are in Syria, France, and Germany) that also claim to have John’s head.

That can’t all be John of course. The others are likely Paul, George, and Ringo.