Swompdonkey

SENATUS POPULUSQUE ROMANUS ~ THE SENATE AND THE PEOPLE OF ROME

SPQR

Everywhere you go in Rome, you see those four letters. On the signs, on the manholes, on the buildings... On the ancient monuments that the Caesars put up when the republic had long ceased to be about the people and senate of Rome and the divine emperors ruled from the Black Sea to the Atlantic, it was still stamped on everything... perhaps hearkening back to a nobler, more idealistic time? Like anytime an American politician refers to the declaration of independence, and the idea that they hold certain truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, etc. etc...

Today I walked in the forum, where 2000 years ago Marc Antony delivered Caesar's funeral oration. I gazed upon Titus' arch, comemorating his victory in the Jewish war. Today, I pretty well gorged myself on history, wandering through the Colosseum, where civilized people gathered and gorged themselves on magnificently decadent and bloody spectacles of battle between man and man, and man and beast. -Interestingly enough, I also found out that contrary to popular belief, Christians were not martyred there, but in another location entirely. The Colosseum was about sport... and watching helpless Christians get eaten by hungry lions... well, there isnt much sport in that!

Ive seen so much today... I am almost scared that it will all be downhill from here! Well gotta have FAITH!

*Have Faith!