Thursday

So I think my format from now on will be more bullet oriented for the lesson recap, since the order gets all mixed up in my head. Let's try this:

Highlights

• Arch of Janus: while this isn't hugely significant it's the first arch I've seen with four pillars instead of a more simple arch over a single road whereas this could have been at a crossroad though we don't know if it was. They actually think it used to be taller because there is a staircase in one of the pillars leading up to what is now the roof. It doesn't have any reliefs depicting wars or triumphs like the others though, just niches where there used to be statues which are now empty. It's actually rather plain compared to the arches at the Roman Forum, though it seems to make sense as its more in the everyday area of Rome, not the grand forums.

• Arch of Argentari: This was given in honor of Septimus Severus by what we think were the money handlers of Rome and what made it interesting to me was that the reliefs originally showed Septimus and his two sons who were supposed to co rule the empire after he died. However One son decided he didn't like that plan and had his brother killed, and then went a step further by erasing all public memory of him by removing his name and image from all monuments so now there is just a ghost of an outline where he once was. Then the guy does the same to his wife and father in law because he doesnt like them, and you can see where she is removed as well. Karma works though because ultimately he was assassinated! Not only that but we know about those people he tried to erase so it didn't even work, just ruined perfectly good monuments for nothing.

Yeah there were def supposed to be three people there, and now only one is left. Btw all pics stolen from google...

• Temple of Hercules: I guess Hercules was very popular in this area because we saw his round temple and learned about an altar to hercules which we actually have never found any trace of.
• Vitruvius: the lecture was on Roman architecture and this guy left behind ten books on how to do just about everything in the world of architecture, and beyond in my opinion! He believed an architect had to know EVERYTHING, and laid out just why you had to know philosophy and medicine and science to be an architect. He was the renaissance man loong before the renaissance.
  

In other news: Its going to rain today and of course my clothes are hanging outside. And here I am at school, I wont be back until tonight, by then I'm sure they will be soaked, and its a good amount of clothes, so I'm a bit dismayed. Also since we walk everywhere, rain is a huge problem. I'm hoping it holds off but the clouds are looking rather full and ominous. Though weather.com is telling me its sunny and about ten degrees warmer than it is so that's no help.

Today we are going to take a bus to the train station and try to get ourselves tickets to go to Venice but complications keep popping up, like the fact that we may need a reservation in addition to a ticket. If we do make it there it will be a miracle. I hope we manage to find someone patient enough to help us and who speaks english because as much as I like trying out my limited Italian it would be more than a stretch to try and discuss train schedules and fares with no English involved.

As for that whole soccer fiasco, er, game, we stayed in. Heard Barcelona won but the pubs were super crowded and hot, and the streets were deserted because everyone was inside somewhere watching. I'm not upset since I got an amazing night of sleep, and don't feel like I missed out on too much. Just have to hope I don't become a soccer fan in the future and regret it then! So I guess that's its for today, pretty calm day.

Tomorrow we go on a field trip (the last of the program) and our prof says the scenery will be amazing so I hope the weather clears up and is nice!