The Ludus Magnus was Rome’s foremost training academy for gladiators… It was built by the Emperor Domitian (81-96 AD) and lies just to the east of the famous Colosseum. Yet, despite its significance, the hordes of tourists visiting the Colosseum always seem to miss it: Fragments of the Severan Marble Plan, an ancient map of … Continue reading
A shot from one of our Italian correspondents… Continue reading
Taken in Rome… Continue reading
The Partisans’ Home can be seen off in the distance on the right… Italians don’t often get much respect, but I do not believe that is entirely justified. After all, this is the culture that gave us the Roman Empire and then the Renaissance. How many countries can claim two turns at the top of … Continue reading
Taken outside of Rome in the summer of 2011: Continue reading
I’ve been giving you a lot on the cities and towns of Sicily lately, but what about rural Sicily, which makes up the majority of the island? I’m glad you inquired because below is what rural Sicily looks like… Now, I don’t have much commentary on these specific scenes as I just took these pictures … Continue reading
Taormina is a small town on the east coast of the island of Sicily, found north of the city of Catania and close to Mount Etna… Given the region of the world in which it is found, Taormina, of course, has an extensive history which stretches back to pre-Greek times. Taormina has been inhabited or … Continue reading
The Velvet Rocket 