Page 87 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Rome

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of Septimius Severus. The relief
panels – largely eroded –
celebrate the emperor’s
victories in Parthia (modern-
day Iraq and Iran) and Arabia.
Originally, the inscription along
the top of the arch was to
Septimius and his two sons,
Caracalla and Geta, but after
Septimius died, Caracalla
murdered Geta and had his
brother’s name removed.
Even so, the holes into which
the letters of his name were
pegged are still visible.
During the Middle Ages, the Ionic capitals on the surviving columns of the Temple of Saturn
central arch, half buried in earth
and debris, was used to shelter slave classes. Every year, of the fifth Duke of Devonshire,
a barber shop. between December 17 and decided to excavate its pedestal,
December 23, Saturn’s reign nobody knew what it was. It
was remembered in a week of turned out to be the youngest of
sacrifices and feasting, known the Forum’s monuments, erected
as the Saturnalia. in AD 608 in honor of the
As long as the revels lasted, Byzantine emperor, Phocas, who
the normal social order was had just paid a visit to Rome. The
turned upside down. Slaves column may have been placed
were permitted to drink and here as a mark of gratitude to
dine with (and sometimes Phocas for giving the Pantheon
even be served by) their to the pope (see pp114–15).
masters. Senators and other
ranking Romans would VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
abandon the aristocratic togas
that they usually wore to Practical Information
distinguish themselves from Entrance: Via della Salara Vecchia
the lower classes and wear 5/6. Map 5 B5 & 8 F1. Tel 06-3996
more democratic, loose-fitting 7700. Open 8:30am–approx
gowns. During the holidays, all 1 hour before sunset daily.
Triumphal arch celebrating the accession the courts of law and schools Closed Jan 1, Dec 25. & (includes
of Emperor Septimius Severus in the city were closed. No entry to Colosseum and Palatine).
prisoner could be punished, Tickets can be bought in advance
and no war could be declared. at www.coopculture.it
5 Temple of Saturn People also celebrated the Transportation
Saturnalia in their own homes: q Colosseo. @ 75, 85, 87, 117,
See Visitors’ Checklist.
they exchanged gifts, in 186, 810. v 3.
The most prominent of the particular special wax dolls
ruins in the fenced-off area and wax tapers, and played
between the Forum and the light-hearted gambling games,
Capitoline Hill is the Temple of the stakes usually being nuts,
Saturn. It consists of a high a symbol of fruitfulness. Much
platform, eight columns, and a of the spirit and many of the
section of entablature. There rituals of the festival have been
was a temple dedicated to preserved in the Christian
Saturn here as early as 497 BC, celebration of Christmas.
but it had to be rebuilt many
times, and the current remains
date only from 42 BC. 6 Column of Phocas
Saturn was the mythical See Visitors’ Checklist.
god-king of Italy, said to have
presided over a prosperous This column, 44 ft (13.5 m)
and peaceful Golden Age high, is one of the few to have
from which slavery, private remained upright since the day
property, crime, and war were it was put up. Until 1816, when
absent. As such, he appealed an inquisitive Englishwoman,
particularly to the lower and Lady Elizabeth Foster, widow Slender, fluted Column of Phocas

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