Day 14 – Monday, October 28: St. Peter in Chains, Colosseum, Constantine’s and Titus’ Arches, Roman Forum, Mamertine Prison, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon
Today was our last day in Rome. Although we were on our feet all day long, it was a remarkable day! We have been blessed with perfect weather throughout the trip. Today was no exception, with sunny skies and temps in the low 70s. We read from Romans 8 as we left the hotel at 7:45 p.m.
St. Peter in Chains
It was only a short bus ride to church called St. Peter’s in Chains.” This church is where (traditionally of course) Peter was held in chains here. 1 Peter 5:13 suggests that Peter was in Rome. Other early church fathers attest to this as well. The 1st century chains that are on display in the front of the church were given to the Pope in the 5th century. This began the legend. Also inside the church, a Moses Sculpture by Michelangelo is displayed. He began this project when he was 30 years ago.
The Colosseum
From here we walked a short distance to the Colosseum. This massive amphitheater built between 72-80 AD (started by Vespasian, and completed by Titus). The first 8 years was just to prepare the foundation and lower levels. Over 300 tons of iron (e.g. pins) was used to hold the structure together. The Colosseum held up to 70,000 people. Gladiators fought here for 450 years against both animals and other men. The last use of the Colosseum was 523 AD. Later, two earthquakes destroyed about half of this structure. Going inside the Colosseum was amazing! We first went to the top for a panoramic view. We then descended down to the lower level. 54 lifts or trap doors were used to lift both animals and gladiators.
Constantine’s & Titus’ Arch
Exiting the Colosseum we next past by Constantine’s Arch. This was built in 315 AD. It is one of seven arches still standing today. As we walked towards the Forum, we also soon passed by Titus’ Arch.This arch was built shortly after the Jerusalem campaign in 70 AD. Inside the arch is a display of the Menorah taken from the Temple in Jerusalem.
Roman Forum
From Titus’ Arch, we entered the Roman Forum. We past by all kinds of Roman structures, pillars, and the open area of this ancient marketplace. In this area of the forum is the Basilica of Julia and the Temple of Castor & Pollux (mentioned in Acts 28:11. These two “twin gods” of Jupiter, gods of protection for sea-farers and warriors). It is most likely Paul was condemned to death in the Basilica of Julia in 67 AD at the hands of Nero. God used him in amazing ways to spread the Gospel to so many! He gave his life for the cause of Christ!
“Today was our last day here in Rome and the last day of our entire trip. It was another ‘wow’ day, with connections with history, archaeology, and the Bible. Seeing where Paul may have been imprisoned and where he died was moving. He gave his life for the sake of the Gospel!”
Mamertine Prison
At the north end of the Forum we visited the Mamertine Prison. Here stands a Catholic Church called St. Joseph’s of the Carpenters. Beneath this structure are the remains of the traditional site of the imprisonments of the Apostle Paul and the Apostle Peter in Rome. This prison was simply known as “Carcer” (“prison”) in Paul’s day. The term “Mamertine” was attributed to the prison in the Medieval Period.
The Carcer was the only prison in ancient Rome. When someone was sentenced to death, they were brought here to await execution. Below the upper chamber is a circular room called the Tullianum. Prisoners entered the Tullianum from the Carcer by being lowered through a hole in the Carcer’s floor. According to tradition, the apostle Peter caused the well-water to spring up so that he might baptize his jailors.
The state rarely incarcerated common criminals, but kept the Mamertine Prison for political prisoners doomed for execution by being thrown off the Tarpeian Rock. Enemies of the State were often strangled in the Tullianum. Others were beheaded after being sentenced to death in the Basilica of Julia. Since the 7th century AD, the Mamertine Prison has been used as a place of worship.
Following our visit of the prison, we read from portions of 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Timothy 4, Romans 15, and Romans 8. Paul endured a lot for the sake of the Gospel. Praise be to God for his faithfulness and perseverance to the end!
Trevi Fountain / Pantheon
From here walked past the Victorinio Emmanuel Venezia monument (built between 1871-1911) to get to the famous Trevi Fountain. The place was packed with people. We then walked another 10 minutes to get to the Pantheon, the largest dome built in the ancient world. Most confidently date the building to the Emperor Hadrian’s reign and describe its purpose as a temple to all the gods. We enjoyed lunch in this area, with many in the group paying the five euros to see inside the Pantheon.
Until modern times, the dome was the largest built, measuring about 140 feet in diameter and rising to a height of 71 feet. It was Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa (in 27 BC) who first built it as an ordinary classic temple, However, it was rebuilt by Hadrian jn the 2nd century (between 118 and 128 AD).
We walked about 10 minutes from here to where we loaded on the bus. We arrived back at our hotel about 5:30. We enjoyed our “last supper” at 7 p.m. Most in the group wake early tomorrow for our morning flights back home!
Day 15 – Tuesday, October 29: Flight Home from Rome, Arrival in U.S.A.
We depart the hotel this morning for the Rome Airport for our flight back to the States. We then make our connecting flights home.
