Dictionary.com defines exhilarating as," to enliven, invigorate or stimulate." I have tried to think of ways that Rome as a city has done these things. I have lived in New York City so the hustle and bustle I am used to. I am from a city with a lot of crime so being on the look out for danger, or having our 'antenna' up as Danilo says is something I have grown up with. The artwork and ruins we have seen I like but have not taken my breath away, that was until today.
Walking through the Capitoline Hill museum I saw how this great empire came into being in vivid detail. I heard the stories and myths of Romulus and Remus. How the Romans did not have any women in their village and kidnapped another villages, and then joined and became bigger. The pinnacle of the day for me was the view of the Roman Forum. We had been in the Roman Forum before but it was only when we standing on top of the hill that I could see the true magnitude of the greatness of Rome. The most exhilarating part of all of that for me is the fact that it all started as a small village.
Oppressive is defined by dictionary.com as, " causing discomfort by being excessive, intense, elaborate" or "burdensome, unjustly harsh, or tyrannical." Oppressive could be a perfect word to describe Rome over the course of its existence, with these two definitions. Ancient times most definitely has some unjustly laws, tyrannical leaders, and harsh punishments. Modern times could be oppressive because of the intense personalities of the people.
I tried to think of ways Rome is oppressive to the traveler that is unlike any other city I have been in. So, the language barrier is out, the hustle and bustle is out and the other common complaints. What I imagine to be oppressive may seem foolish, but I feel that the vast amounts of museums and sights located in such a small vicinity are oppressive, oppressive to appreciation. When coming here, I had some idea of the great works of art that I would encounter. I was prepared to be blown away, and yes the Coliseum did not disappoint, or the view of the Roman Forum from on top of Capitoline Hill. However I have seen churches or artworks in New York and even Cleveland that have seemed grander at the time then some of the ones here. When I picture the places separately, these wonders of Rome win hands down. So how do those places seem to have had more of an impact on me at the time? I believe that because of the huge quantity of all these fountains, piazzas and churches it dulls the experience and distracts from how glorious they actually are. The same monument in any other part of the world would be marveled at, but in Rome it seems a little more average. It makes me think of the term ‘relative poverty’ that I learnt in sociology class. Some people believe they are hard off and living in ‘poverty’ because the people around them have so much, but in fact they do have a lot. So because of the many ‘riches’ Rome has, its leaves some of the monuments and art looking poverty stricken.
Nonetheless Rome is a very intriguing city to study, as it is one of the few cities where we can have such a clear view of past and present.
Mark, I really enjoyed what you said about the view from the Roman Forum. I also didn't really get that much of a vibe from the Forum until we were able to see it from an aerial view.
ReplyDeleteI also like how you said the museums and monuments were oppressive to you. I never really looked at it like that, but now that I did I understand where you're coming from.