If you have the chance to come to Rome, you'll have the possibility not only to see the majesty of the roman ruins but also to explore the vatican city and the major basilicas of Rome.
Taking a private tour of the Roman Forum, you will see how Rome has a number of beautiful old arches, but the two very well-known ones, of course, are the Arco di Tito, or Arch of Titus, in the Forum, and Constantine's Arch, close by the Colosseum. The Arch of Titus looks down into the Roman Forum, which lies about sixty feet below the level of modern Rome. By the light of the late afternoon sun its ruined temples and columns are bathed in a rosy radiance reminiscent of the effulgence once knew in Imperial days.
The ancient Via Sacra, or Sacred Way, ran right under the Arch of Titus and on down to the centre of The Forum. Although this arch was built to commemorate Titus' capture of Jerusalem in AD. 70, the hero didn't live to see its erection, which didn't take place until about 82 A-D. The arch is very interesting to Bible students, for there, on the inner panel, is very clearly depicted the sacred objects that Titus took from the temple in Jerusalem. The seven-branched candlestick and the table of show bread can be easily recognised.
Close by the memorial to Titus is the great Basilica of Constantine, built over the spot where the portico of Nero's Golden House once stood. It was built by Constantine at the time he professed Christianity. East of the Arch of Titus is another reminder of Constantine's reign-the arch named after him. It was erected in 315 AD. In honour of his victory over Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge, near Rome, in 312the victory which is supposed to have caused the emperor to espouse Christianity. The story says that just before the battle Constantine saw a vision of a cross in the sky with this inscription, "In this sign thou shalt win" ( in hoc signo vinces ).
There are many reasons to doubt the genuineness of this conversion, as many historians have shown. While professing to be a Christian, he quite often would employ pagan soothsayers to report some augury to him. It has been said by many that the emperor really embarked on an ambitious political scheme to guarantee the success of his reign.
In 321 AD Constantine brought down his famous Sunday law, which reads as follows:
"On the venerable Day of the Sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed. In the country, however, persons engaged in agriculture may freely and lawfully continue their pursuits; because it often happens that another day is not so suitable for grain sowing or for vine-planting; lest by neglecting the proper moment for such operations the bounty of heaven should be lost. (Given the 7th day of March, Crispus and Constantine being consuls each of them for the second time."). -" Codex Justinianus, lib. 3, tit. 12, 3."
Taking a private tour of the Roman Forum, you will see how Rome has a number of beautiful old arches, but the two very well-known ones, of course, are the Arco di Tito, or Arch of Titus, in the Forum, and Constantine's Arch, close by the Colosseum. The Arch of Titus looks down into the Roman Forum, which lies about sixty feet below the level of modern Rome. By the light of the late afternoon sun its ruined temples and columns are bathed in a rosy radiance reminiscent of the effulgence once knew in Imperial days.
The ancient Via Sacra, or Sacred Way, ran right under the Arch of Titus and on down to the centre of The Forum. Although this arch was built to commemorate Titus' capture of Jerusalem in AD. 70, the hero didn't live to see its erection, which didn't take place until about 82 A-D. The arch is very interesting to Bible students, for there, on the inner panel, is very clearly depicted the sacred objects that Titus took from the temple in Jerusalem. The seven-branched candlestick and the table of show bread can be easily recognised.
Close by the memorial to Titus is the great Basilica of Constantine, built over the spot where the portico of Nero's Golden House once stood. It was built by Constantine at the time he professed Christianity. East of the Arch of Titus is another reminder of Constantine's reign-the arch named after him. It was erected in 315 AD. In honour of his victory over Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge, near Rome, in 312the victory which is supposed to have caused the emperor to espouse Christianity. The story says that just before the battle Constantine saw a vision of a cross in the sky with this inscription, "In this sign thou shalt win" ( in hoc signo vinces ).
There are many reasons to doubt the genuineness of this conversion, as many historians have shown. While professing to be a Christian, he quite often would employ pagan soothsayers to report some augury to him. It has been said by many that the emperor really embarked on an ambitious political scheme to guarantee the success of his reign.
In 321 AD Constantine brought down his famous Sunday law, which reads as follows:
"On the venerable Day of the Sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed. In the country, however, persons engaged in agriculture may freely and lawfully continue their pursuits; because it often happens that another day is not so suitable for grain sowing or for vine-planting; lest by neglecting the proper moment for such operations the bounty of heaven should be lost. (Given the 7th day of March, Crispus and Constantine being consuls each of them for the second time."). -" Codex Justinianus, lib. 3, tit. 12, 3."
SHARE
