Rome and Jerusalem-Are there parallels between the Rome/Jerusalem reality and our contemporary world? 8/31/10

Are there parallels between the Rome/Jerusalem reality and our contemporary world?

From reading chapter one in Rome and Jerusalem, Goodman explains Rome and Jerusalem in the first century had many differences. But even though they had their differences, they had many similarities. During the first century both Jerusalem and Rome held power. Not only were they similar for having power but both of the cities were cosmopolitan, and religion was a big part of the cities lives. Our contemporary world in the United States, shares the same similarities with Rome and Jerusalem.

Rome was an extremely powerful city in the first century and at the time was referred to as “The Eternal City.” The power of Rome was imposed through military force and law. And as far as the stratification of the city, the people of Rome did not have much say in the law because it was ruled by one person, the Emperor. In Jerusalem power was quite prevalent but the society’s stratification was somewhat different from Rome. Jerusalem did not hold power by having one person rule all others because everyone was created equal and they were not based on their social rank in society. They got their power spiritually. However, the priests were viewed as the most important figures within the temple of Jerusalem because religion was very important in the Jews daily lives. In the contemporary United States, power is just as important as it was to the Romans and Jews. But our stratification system definitely exists within society. People in our modern society are ranked as being part of the upper class, middle class, and lower class and that is basically based on how much money one makes and their importance in society.

Rome was also known as being a cosmopolitan city where “All roads led to Rome,” meaning that because of the city’s trade and different road systems, other countries easily connected to Rome. According to Goodman, “Many Jews came to Rome as suppliants, slaves of fortune-seekers.” By that statement, Jews and other people all over the world came to Rome in search of entertainment, and over time within the expansion of Rome many tourists were drawn to the cities attractions. Jerusalem was also a cosmopolitan city because of the sense of equality that people felt when they entered the city. By this, I mean that people came to Jerusalem to make a pilgrimage to strengthen their faith regardless of what race or religion you were. In the contemporary United States cities like New York and Los Angeles are the most well known cosmopolitan cities because of all the diversity of people within them. Also, they are very large cities with much to offer, such as: ample job opportunities, commerce, and entertainment.

Religion played a big part in the lives of the Romans and Jews. In Rome, as stated earlier, the emperor was the leader of society. He worshiped many gods and controlled religion. But, in the first century Rome was very open to other religions and even if someone in the Roman society did not totally agree with the set religion that was allowed as long as they respected the gods and the emperor. In Jerusalem, religion was what the community focused on. God was number one and the temple was the center of everyone’s life. In the contemporary United States religion is a very important factor in most people’s lives. If someone is devout to their religion, they are to base most of their decision on their religious background. The United States is very accepting of many religions and people are allowed to have their own beliefs without being shunned for the most part.

Rome and Jerusalem, and the United States surprisingly have a lot more in common than I had originally thought until I read about them and the history behind these cities unraveled. The contemporary United States also shares the same similarities as being cosmopolitan and allowing religion to be a large part of society.

Art & Culture of Rome Journal #2, 8/25/10

The Bust of Medusa
A.) 1. The Bust of Medusa by Gian Lorenzo Bernini
2. In the Palazzo dei Conservatori in Sala Della Oche.
3. It is made out of white marble and is 50 by 41 by 38 centimetres circa and is a Baroque style of art. And the pedestal that her head is held up by is made out of portoro marble and the height of it is 18cm, the diameter is 20cm. Inscribed on the front of the sculpture is, "The head of Medusa, in ancient times used as ornamentation on the shields of the Romans to terrorize their enemies, today shines brightly in the capitol in glory of the renowned sculptor, donated by Marquis Francesco Bichi, in the month of March in the year of the Lord 1731."

Historical Essay:
From the tour given by Barbara at Capitoline Hill, The head of Medusa is the most beautiful but deadly monster of all. She had the power to turn anyone to stone who looked into her piercing eyes. In greek myth, it is said that after Perseus found Medusa he killed her by cutting off her head and used it in battle to defeat his enemies and then awarded it to the goddess Athena who cast the head into her shield where it then would remain.

Bernini sculpted the head of Medusa because of the emotion on her face when he head was chopped off. According to the main website of the Musei Capitolini, "Medusa, with a classically beautiful face and delicate features, sees herself in an imaginary mirror and is caught in the moment when she realizes the atrocious trick of fate, and before our eyes, her soft skin changes color, the writhing serpents in her hair paralyse and her expression of pain and anguish are forever captured in marble." This is one the of first works of art during this time period where a woman was shown as having any kind of emotion.

When I saw the head of Medusa for the first time at the museum, a feeling of sadness came over me. I automatically felt pain for Medusa because she was killed for being viewed as a terrifying monster. I also felt petrified. This work of art by Bernini is spectacular because he depicts her emotions so well. In my opinion, the fact that the Medusa was able to turn people into stone who look at her, symbolizes the amount of strength she she had which also showed me a bigger picture; women really did have strength even though during that time period it was hidden because women weren't important to society.

The (Original) Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius
A.) 1. The (Original) Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius
2. In Rome, at the Palazzo Nuovo
3. The original is made out of bronze and gold and is 3.5 meters tall and is larger than life-size

B.) Historical Essay:
The Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius depicts power and his strength. his left hand suggests him holding the reigns of the horse, but reigns did not exist during this time. His right hand is raised up high to grab peoples attention and show peace. He is also shown to show no weapons in either hand because he was said to be a peacemaker and when this was sculpted it was to show he was entering, "The City of Life."

If you look close, you will notice that the horse has its right hoof raised. According to our tour guide Barbara, “It suggests that a small figure of a bound barbarian chieftain once crouched under the horse's right front leg trying to kill himself." Marcus Aurelius was a man of peace and did not want this man to die.

According to the Musei Capitolini's website, there were many imperial statues during the time Marcus Aurelius's statue was made. But, Marcus Aurelius's statue was the only to survive because in the middle ages it was incorrectly thought to portray the first Christian Emperor Constantine. Today, it is the only fully surviving bronze statue of a pre-Christian Emperor.

Rome Stories & Traditions: Journal 2

The history of Rome, according to British Journalist H.V. Morton, is both “exhilarating and oppressive for the traveler.” Within the span of the last week and half, I have experienced Italy’s “fatal charm,” that Barzini talks about in The Italians and it can be both exhilarating and oppressive. The fatal charm that has drawn me in has been the unique architecture, delicious food, art, and the people of Italy.

Since being here the trip has been exhilarating in a couple ways. The first is all of the history of the buildings that I have absorbed in such a short period of time. I feel so blessed to be here and to be able to catch a somewhat short train ride into Rome and see all the beautiful architecture, and historical buildings that Italy has to offer. Being able to stand right next to Italy’s ruins that have been around for centuries is exhilarating for me.

The second reason why Italy is so exhilarating to me is because of the great food. I’ve eaten “Italian” food in America many times, but eating food here is completely different. The food here is so simple, but yet so good! I never thought just one main ingredient like tomato sauce over noodles could taste so good! Americans put so much salt, and added preservatives in their food that I am not used to the simplicity of Italian cuisine. When I take a bite into an Italian piece of pizza or devour gelato on a hot day for lunch, I am exhilarated by how great the food is.

Even though there are many exhilarating qualities that Italy has to offer, there is one that is “oppressive” to me. This is my first time being in another country and not being able to understand the language. Before coming to Italy, I took a couple years of Italian in high school and a year at Walsh, but it is so different actually applying the language now that I’m here. At Walsh, I’m used to passing people I know and not being afraid to talk to them. From ordering food to figuring out the directions in Italian is oppressive to me because it is a difficult language that I am used to. I’ve never been afraid to ask questions or start up a friendly conversation, but here I am. Here, I get a confused expression on Italians faces when I attempt to communicate with them. I am slowly learning the language and attempting to speak it outside of the classroom, so hopefully my Italian improves over the course of being here.

Ever since I’ve been here I have had exhilarating and oppressive experiences, and have been drawn into Italy’s ‘fatal charm.” But, being able to travel abroad to another country and learning all about a new culture is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Art and Culture of Rome Journal #1- 8/19/2010

A.) 1. Fontana della Barcaccia is a fresh-water fountain Pizza di Spagna
2. Fontana della Baraccia is at the base of the Spanish Steps in Piazza di Spagna
3. From the research that I have done there is no exact measurment given or what material was used to for the fountain. But to give an approximate size of the fountain it is about the size of a medium boat and is in the shape of a boat with a prow and on the sides, two jugs from which water purs out, falling into the tank underneath.
4. Fontana della Barcaccia us a baroque styled, fresh-water fountain in Rome in Piazza di Spagna. According to aboutroma.com, "Fontana della Barcaccia, Fountain of the old boat." Pietro and Gian Lorenzo Bernini were said to have collaborated collaborated on the decoration of the boat with a prow and on the sides, two jugs from which water pours out, falling into the tank underneath.

The fountain was comissioned by Pope Urban VII and the shape of the fountain was chosen because, prior to the rivers being built, the Tiber flooded in 1598, and Piazza di Spagna experienced a bad flooding as well. The flooed left water one meter high. Once the water went away, it is said that a boat was left behind the square.

B.) 1. The Spanish Steps in Rome, at the Piazza di Spagna. The purpose of the Spanish steps is for people to gather together to socialize.
2. The Spanish steps connect the townsquare to to the church Trinia dei Monti
3. The Spanish Steps is the longest and widest staircase in Europe, with 138 steps and the staircase is built from stone and is somewhat steep.
4. the Spanish Steps were built to unite Via dei Babuino(the easternmost of the three main arteries radiating into the city from the Piazza del Popolo) with Via Felice, the steps were built by Francesco de Sanctis. At the end of the 17th century it was called Trinita dei Monti, after the church that dominated the square from above, but it was later given the name we know today after the Spanish Ambassador who lived there.

The steps combine straight sections, curves, and terraces to create one of the cities most dramatic landmarks. Centuries ago the spanish steps were used for artists' modesl who would dress in colorful traditional costumes, hoping to catch the attention of wealthy artists. Now people today go to the Spanish steps to sit at, write poscards, take photos, flirt, but not eating is allowed.

How did your morning class impact what you saw in the afternoon?

On the first class day of Rome: Stories and Traditions, the class was prompted to introduce the place where we grew up and what our community was like. We were supposed to pretend that we were to write a book that contained only the thesis, middle statement, and conclusion, what would our community say to a stranger who knew nothing about where we came from? Some of my classmates' thesis statements were that they came from a city that had much more to offer than what most outsiders would expect, for example: close relationships with other inside their community, and many other amenities other than farms and fields, or as Rabbi Spitzer would refer to as, "hick town." This proved to me that I should not be so narrow-minded when it comes to other communities without knowing what truly goes on within them. from the first exercise, I was able to go into Rome having an open mind and not only look at the building not just for their, but the history behind them.


When I arrived at the first sight; The Coliseum, the first thought that I had was, "This is absolutely amazing." I had never seen a structure that beautiful and that large in my entire life! The fact that the Romans built the arena by hand was shocking to me because today technology is so advanced and with the help of computers, it's almost as if anything is possible. The tour guide, Laura, helped me to reach a greater understanding of what the Coliseum was actually about and it what it was used for, other than the beautiful architecture. The history behind the arena like the amount of animals and gladiators that entered everyday and fought for their lives amazes me. It also shocks me that people got satisfaction out of watching that many people and animals die every day. The fact that surprised me the most was when the women and children were forced to sit on wood planks at the fifth level of the Coliseum, which happened to be the highest and most dangerous. Even though today people probably wouldn't enjoy watching animals and people get killed, back then it was a way for everyone to gather together in Rome and it was a source of entertainment for the community as a whole. Before knowing this information, I just viewed the arena as aesthetically pleasing and didn't know the significance behind it.


The second sight that we visited as a group was the Roman Forum. Before visiting this sight I can honestly say, that I knew nothing about it, which disappointed me because it has so much important history behind it. It's amazing to me how the Forum is still standing after all of those years. Thousands of years ago there was civilization there and every building played an important in the Romans daily lives, but yet it is still one of the most amazing wonders of the world and millions of people still visit the ruins every day! Even though most of the Roman Forum is ruins, some buildings are still being renovated and the old marble from the buildings are recycled and taken to churches all around Italy.

From the moment that I arrived in Rome, words could not describe how appreciative I felt in order to be able to have this experience. thus far, Rome, has opened my eyes to a new way of life and culture. From the food to the wonderful people and architecture, Italy is such an amazing place to be! The first day of class shaped the way I look at different cultures and communities, and I look forward of what's to come!