First of all, I want to know how the same civilization that created the colosseum…

… could also create the world’s smallest car?

This little car would have been great to drive around the inside the colosseum. It could have popped out of one of the many trap doors and secret passage ways hidden under the floor.

The Roman Senator who sat in this seat had his name carved into the marble. Is that Times New Roman Font?

The senator may have been watching when this poor victim was hunted down by a charioteer and dragged across the arena. It may have been an easier end than being attacked by starving lions.

At some point, perhaps around 300 AD, Constantine the Great converted Rome to Christianity which became home to the Pope(s). About 1300 years later, they finally got around to building a suitable place for him.

Since we were in Rome for Christmas, what more Christian thing to do than to go to the Vatican and hang with the Pope? First we had to fight the crowds.

Then we had to elude the Swiss Guard.

Finally, we had our audience with the Pope.

But, nothing compares to the Roman Forum…

… Not the Baths of Caracalla, just down the street and built around 235 AD. They could house almost 5000 people at once.

Not the Pantheon, which having been built in about 130 AD, and with one of the largest domes in the world, is pretty impressive…

The Pantheon at night hosts thousands of people eating in one of the many restaurants in the square.

In more modern times, Rome is still the center of the civilized world. Lets go shopping…

At last, during a hard day’s night, there is always time for … Peroni!

There are so many great scenes, I will leave you with a few more to view: