suz in rome



11 luglio 2006

060 il foro romano


A few more picture pages today, enjoy!

Above: The Roman Forum, taken from Capitoline Hill, looking towards the Colloseum, with the Arch of Titus in the background. Palatine Hill is on the right.

Makes a nice screensaver! ;)

059 qui gioco io!


Did you know that in Rome, dogs speak in the first person? And, they can read? In the U.S., we see signs directed towards people like "No dogs allowed". Also, we take for granted that dogs aren't allowed in restaurants, schools, offices, cafes, buses, etc.

This is not the case in Italy; I have been on many a bus with a loud-mouth canine. So, when a business wants to designate that dogs are not allowed, they put a sign in front that says "Non posso entrare" (I can't come in) with a little picture of a sad dog with a pouty face.

You see endless variations of this concept, but always dogs speaking in the 1st person: "please clean up after me", "I can't play here".

The sketch above is in some of the parks (Villa Borghese, Villa Pamphili). It designates places for dogs to play, and the caption says "I play here!"

S.P.Q.R. is "Senatus Populus Quiritium Romanus" (The Senate and People of Rome), and although it obviously originated in ancient times, it's still used as the trademark of the city.

058 s. maria in trastevere


Detail from S. Maria in Trastevere, the building dates to about 300 AD, but I'm not sure about this particular mosaic.

057 turisti tipici


Rome tourists and shoppers in front of the Pantheon considering their next purchases and meals.

056 portico d'ottavia



I drew this sketch to show some of the historical layers in the Ancient Rome Cake. This was drawn in the Jewish Ghetto, where the Jews were forced to live and attend Mass (that's a church on the right) until relatively recent times.

The oldest layer is on the left - Portico d'Ottavia. Ottavia was the sister of Augustus and this structure dates from about 20 AD. As you move to the right, and up, you can see different street levels and paving. The topmost layer, with the bridges over the archeological ruins, is contemporary Rome - you can walk along these balconies and bridges to get to shops, restaurants, residences, etc.