Steve's Genealogy Blog

The Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli (Saint Mary of the Altar of Heaven) stands atop the Capitoline Hill in Rome, Italy. It is the dedicated church of the Roman City Council (Senatus Populusque Romanus, SPQR) and it stands next to the National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II.

During the reign of Emperor Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus, adopted nephew of Gauis Julius Caesar, the Tiburtine Sibyl prophesied that “Soon from the sky will descend the King of ages”. Augustus built an altar called Ara Coeli or the Altar of the Heavens at the site. Indeed, Jesus Christ was born during the reign of Augustus.

The Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli is built over the site of Augustus’ Ara Coeli. Images of Augustus and the Tiburtine Sibyl are painted in the arches over the main altar. Among the other sights in this basilica are a colossal statue of Pope Gregory XIII to whom we owe the Gregorian Calendar, and a stained glass window of the Holy Spirit.

The greatest treasure of the basilica is, however, a wooden statue of the infant Jesus, carved in the 15th century of olive wood from the Garden of Gethsemane. The original statue was stolen in 1994 and never recovered. The image now displayed in the basilica is a copy.

Main Altar of the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli

SOURCE:  Main Altar of the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.

Statue of Pope Gregory XIII

SOURCE:  Statue of Pope Gregory XIII (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.

Stained Glass Window of the Holy Spirit

SOURCE:  Stained Glass Window of the Holy Spirit (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.

Santo Bambino

SOURCE:  Santo Bambino (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.

Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko

The National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II (Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II) is a favorite subject of scorn in Rome, Italy but, apparently, people love to hate the monument. Its gleaming white marble exterior can be seen for miles and tourists flock there to climb its steps.

On the exterior of the monument, two guards stand watch at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier while an eternal flame burns nearby. An equestrian statue of Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of a unified Italy looms in front of the structure.

Inside, there stands a sculpture of Winged Victory, similar to the two bronze representations of victory atop the monument.

Throughout the monument, artifacts are displayed, including some that might make a genealogist’s mouth water – bound lists of military personnel.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

SOURCE:  Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.

Equestrian Statue of Victor Emmanuel II

SOURCE:  Equestrian Statue of Victor Emmanuel II (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.

Winged Victory

SOURCE:  Winged Victory (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.

Infantry Lists

SOURCE:  Infantry Lists (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.

Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko

Most of the photos I took in Rome were taken in daylight. For some reason, I didn’t have a strong urge to take photos at night, but places I visited in the day were transformed at night.

The one place I did take photos both during the day and at night was the National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II (Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II). The monument was erected to commemorate Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of a unified Italy. Although the perspective on the day shot is different than that of the night shot, the two photos make a pleasing pair.

I also saw two triumphal columns, very similar in appearance. The daytime photo is of Trajan’s Column and the nighttime photo is of the Column of Marcus Aurelius. Trajan’s Column, completed in 113 AD, commemorates the Roman Emperor Trajan’s victory in the Dacian Wars. Bas reliefs showing scenes from the Dacian Wars spiral up the column. The Column of Marcus Aurelius, completed before 193 AD, describes the exploits of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius in the Marcomannic Wars. This column was modeled after Trajan’s Column, with scenes from the Marcomannic Wars spiraling up the column. In the 1580s, on orders from Pope Sixtus V, Trajan’s column was topped with a statue of St. Peter and the Column of Marcus Aurelius was crowned with a stature of St. Paul.

Monument to Victor Emmanuel II – Day

SOURCE:  Monument to Victor Emmanuel II – Day (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.

Monument to Victor Emmanuel II – Night

SOURCE:  Monument to Victor Emmanuel II – Night (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.

Trajan’s Column

SOURCE:  Trajan’s Column (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.

Column of Marcus Aurelius

SOURCE:  Column of Marcus Aurelius (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.

Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko

The Piazza del Quirinale in Rome, Italy lies atop the Quirinal Hill, the highest of the seven hills of Rome. In the piazza stands an obelisk without hieroglyphics that was rescued from the Mausoleum of Augustus where it had broken into three pieces. The obelisk was placed in the midst of a group of four statues showing Castor and Pollux taming their horses.

At the perimeter of the piazza is the Palazzo del Quirinal, the residence of the president of Italy. In 1583, Pope Gregory XIIIÂ had the Palazzo del Quirinal built for use as a papal summer residence. Guards and officials stood at the entrance to the Palazzo del Quirinal while I was there.

The Palazzo della Consulta (Constitutional Court) also has a facade on the Piazza del Quirinale.

The Obelisk at Piazza del Quirinale

SOURCE:  The Obelisk at Piazza del Quirinale (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.

Palazzo del Quirinale

SOURCE:  Palazzo del Quirinale (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.

Entrance to Palazzo del Quirinale

SOURCE:  Entrance to Palazzo del Quirinale (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.

Palazzo della Consulta

SOURCE:  Palazzo della Consulta (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.

Sentry at Palazzo del Quirinale

SOURCE:  Sentry at Palazzo del Quirinale (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.

Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko

The Basilica of Santa Maria della Vittoria is located just across the street from the Moses Fountain in Rome, Italy. The basilica is home to several notable sculptures.

The jewel of this basilica is Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s sculpture of The Ecstasy of St. Theresa. This sculpture, created in 1647-1652, depicts a vision of St. Theresa of Avila in which an angel pierced her heart and, in doing so, filled her with the love of God.

Another notable sculpture is Alfonso Balzico’s 19th century work, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Giving the Scapular to St. Simon Stock.

A third sculpture is Domenico Guidi’s The Dream of St. Joseph. Under the altar where this work is displayed is a simulacrum or likeness of St. Vittoria, Roman virgin and martyr, after whom the basilica is named.

In the Cornaro Chapel where the Ecstasy of St. Theresa is located, there are two marble inlays in the floor, skeletons representing the hope and despair of the souls in purgatory.

The Ecstasy of St. Theresa

SOURCE:  The Ecstasy of St. Theresa (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Giving the Scapular to St. Simon Stock

SOURCE:  Our Lady of Mount Carmel Giving the Scapular to St. Simon Stock (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.

The Dream of St. Joseph

SOURCE:  The Dream of St. Joseph (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.

Saint Vittoria, Virgin and Martyr

SOURCE:  Saint Vittoria, Virgin and Martyr (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.

Hope

SOURCE:  Hope (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.

Despair

SOURCE:  Despair (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.

Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko

The Fontana dell’Acqua Felice, better known as the Fountain of Moses, is a monumental fountain in Rome, Italy. It forms the terminus of the Acqua Felice, one of the main aqueducts of Rome. The fountain is modeled after the ancient Roman triumphal arches. At the top of the structure are angels displaying the papal coat of arms and an inscription honoring its builder, Pope Sixtus V.

The main part of the fountain, at street level includes three biblical scenes. On the left is Aaron Leading the Israelites to Water, in the center stands Moses, and on the right is Gideon Leading His People across the River Jordan.

Attic of the Fountain of Moses

SOURCE:  Attic of the Fountain of Moses (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.

Aaron Leading the Israelites to Water

SOURCE:  Aaron Leading the Israelites to Water (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.

Moses

SOURCE:  Moses (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.

Gideon Leading His People across the River Jordan

SOURCE:  Gideon Leading His People across the River Jordan (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.

Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko

The north and south sides of the Ara Pacis Augustae in Rome, Italy are difficult to photograph, mainly because the exterior walls of the structure are so close to the walls of the building that was built to enclose them. However, nearby there is a scale model of the Ara Pacis with a key to the figures depicted on the north and south walls.

The figures in the friezes of the north and south walls are all proceeding westward in double file, celebrating the Peace of Augustus. Those in the south wall are especially interesting because they include Emperor Caesar Augustus himself (though the image of Augustus is only partially recovered).

A fully recovered group includes the Roman statesman and general Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa who appears in the frieze with a hood over his head. Agrippa was married to Julia, daughter of Caesar Augustus and, one of their children, Gaius Caesar, appears in the frieze, clinging to the toga of his father. The woman who follows them is thought to be either Julia (wife of Agrippa and only child of Augustus) or Livia (third wife of Augustus and stepmother of Julia). Following Julia/Livia is Tiberius (son of Livia and stepson of Augustus) who, after the death of Augustus, would become the second emperor of Rome.

The interior of the Ara Pacis structure is decorated with reliefs of garlands strung from the skulls of bulls.

Ara Pacis Augustae – Model of North Wall

SOURCE:  Ara Pacis Augustae – Model of North Wall (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Ara Pacis Augustae – Model of South Wall

SOURCE:  Ara Pacis Augustae – Model of South Wall (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Detail of Agrippa Group on the Ara Pacis Augustae

SOURCE:  Detail of Agrippa Group on the Ara Pacis Augustae (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Garland on the Interior of the Ara Pacis Augustae

SOURCE:  Garland on the Interior of the Ara Pacis Augustae (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko

The east and west sides of the Ara Pacis Augustae in Rome, Italy each bears two main reliefs, although the reliefs themselves have survived to differing degrees. The interpretation of the reliefs has been the subject of scholarly debate.

The Tellus Panel: The east wall holds a well-preserved relief depicting what is probably Mother Earth, holding two infants who symbolize the people of Rome. The scene is one of fertility and prosperity, the benefits of peace. The figure to the left of Mother Earth represents the land winds, riding on the back of a swan. The figure to the right of Mother Earth represents the sea winds, riding on the back of a sea serpent. Other interpretations suggest that the main figure represents Rome, or even Peace.

The Roma Panel: The other, poorly preserved relief on the east wall has been redrawn from images on Roman coins. The female warrior, Roma, sits on a pile of weapons so that they cannot be used.

The Aeneas Panel: The west wall includes a fairly well preserved relief depicting Aeneas, the founder of Rome, making a sacrifice to the Penates, the household gods Aeneas saved from the fires of Troy. Two attendants stand before him, one with a jug and bowl, the other with a sow. Another interpretation is that the main figure is not Aeneas, but Numa Pompilius, the second king of Rome, instead.

The Lupercal Panel: The second panel on the west wall is poorly preserved, but is thought to depict the discovery of Romulus and Remus by Faustulus, the shepherd. Romulus and Remus are shown suckling a she-wolf and the god Mars observes from the left.

Tellus Panel on the Ara Pacis Augustae

SOURCE:  Tellus Panel on the Ara Pacis Augustae (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Roma Panel on the Ara Pacis Augustae

SOURCE:  Roma Panel on the Ara Pacis Augustae (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Aeneas Panel on the Ara Pacis Augustae

SOURCE:  Aeneas Panel on the Ara Pacis Augustae (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Lupercal Panel on the Ara Pacis Augustae

SOURCE:  Lupercal Panel on the Ara Pacis Augustae (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko

The Ara Pacis Augustae in Rome, Italy is an altar to peace was consecrated in 9 BC to celebrate the return of Emperor Augustus from Hispania and Gaul. The detailed sculptures depict scenes of piety and reverence as well as long processions of Romans celebrating the Augustan Peace.

The Ara Pacis Augustae was rediscovered in 1568 but was not completely excavated and reconstructed until the 20th century. The structure has been surrounded by a modern building which, in addition to the Ara Pacis Augustae, contains a number of other works of art, both ancient and modern.

Ara Pacis Augustae – Exterior

SOURCE:  Ara Pacis Augustae – Exterior (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Busts of Notable Romans

SOURCE:  Busts of Notable Romans (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Ara Pacis Augustae – West Wall

SOURCE:  Ara Pacis Augustae – West Wall (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Ara Pacis Augustae – East Wall

SOURCE:  Ara Pacis Augustae – East Wall (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko

In modern Italian, Piazza del Populo means “People’s Square”, but the name of this popular city square in Rome, Italy, actually derives from the word for the poplar tree. Piazza del Populo was designed between 1811 and 1822 by Giuseppe Valadier who placed fountains on the east and west sides, an obelisk with four Egyptian Lion fountains in the center, used the twin churches Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto to form the south boundary, and used the Porta del Populo (Gate of the People) as the north boundary.

The obelisk, commonly called the Populo Obelisk, was erected by Ramses II in Heliopolis and was brought to Rome in 10 BC. A copy of this obelisk stands at the top of the Spanish Steps in Rome.

To the west is the Fountain of Neptune, showing Neptune flanked by two dolphins and two Tritons. To the east is the Fountain of Rome between the Tiber and the Aniene, with the she-wolf nursing Romulus and Remus in front.

The Porta del Populo is an ancient gate that formed the northern entrance to Rome through the Aurelian Walls. The Aurelian Walls once surrounded all seven hills of Rome.

Populo Obelisk

SOURCE:  Populo Obelisk (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Lion Fountain

SOURCE:  Lion Fountain (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Fountain of Neptune

SOURCE:  Fountain of Neptune (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Rome between the Tiber and the Aniene

SOURCE:  Rome between the Tiber and the Aniene (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Porta del Populo

SOURCE:  Rome between the Tiber and the Aniene (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko