sites & structures library
Imagining a distant time is much easier if you know a bit about the landscape. Explore Ancient Roman Cities and Sites in these articles to get a better picture of this ancient world.
Featured Article: Colosseum
Colosseum, or Coliseum, a huge amphitheater of ancient Rome. Its name, from the Latin colossus,meaning "gigantic," was given to it either because of its vast size or because of the colossal statue of Nero that originally stood nearby. See more »
Articles 1-10 of 10
Apian Way
Appian Way , or Via Appia , the first and most famous Roman road. It was named for the magistrate Appius Claudius, who began construction in 312 B.C.
See more »Arch
Arch, a self-supporting span, usually curved, across an opening. The arch is used in architecture and in bridge building.
See more »Basilica
Basilica, a type of public building used by the ancient Romans as a courthouse and business exchange.
See more »Campus Martius
Campus Martius, a plain in ancient Rome. It covered an area of about 600 acres (240 hectares) between the Quirinal, Capitoline, and Pincian hills and the Tiber River.
See more »Catacombs
Catacombs underground cemeteries. The word, meaning “by the hollows,” originally described the location of the burial place of Saint Sebastian, in Rome.
See more »Colosseum
Colosseum, or Coliseum, a huge amphitheater of ancient Rome. Its name, from the Latin colossus,meaning "gigantic," was given to it either because of its vast size or because of the colossal statue of Nero that originally stood nearby.
See more »Forum
Forum, the market place or public meeting place of ancient Roman cities. A forum was usually square or rectangular, with an open area in the center.
See more »Nicaea
Nicaea, or Nice, in ancient times, a city of Asia Minor. Now it is the village of Iznik, in Turkey, about 58 mile (93 km) southeast of Istanbul.
See more »Pantheon
Pantheon, a temple of ancient Rome. It survives in the best state of preservation of any building in Rome dating from the days of the Empire.
See more »Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, a list of structures considered by Greco-Roman tourists to be outstanding for their size or beauty.
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