It is known that the subsoil of Rome always has some wonderful surprises. Let me be honest with you: it is one of the reasons why I decided to be a local tour guide here in Rome. In this way I could have the possibility to really appreciate what the Eternal City is able  to bring to light...

In the course of some preparatory excavations for the construction of a subway station of the new metro line of the city, practically in the middle of Piazza Venezia were found clear archaeological evidences that were identified as the ruins of a very interesting complex. Found in 2007, in fact, these remains belonged to the Auditorium (or even the Athenaeum) of Hadrian. What about it? As you can understand from the name, it was a public place used for debates and public meetings, something like a modern meeting centre. In a certain way this was a haven for scholars, scientists, orators, rhetoricians, philosophers, thinkers, wise men and magistrates. All those people, each single one in his specific area or interest, were invited in order to talk about what they would like to discuss, usually speaking in Latin or Greek.

Not only that because philosophers or orators, even in the presence of the same emperor, used to discuss here about the great themes of life. It is not a coincidence that an emperor, attentive to the arts, to culture and to philosophy as Hadrian wanted a place in which to ask questions and raise your spirit beyond the daily concerns. It is not a coincidence that the so-called auditorium was a roman copy, of the original one that Hadrian saw in Athens (a city that he really loved, and to know more click here). Imagine a sort of a small roman theatre, with semicircular tribune that surround the place where people held their discussions. The excavations have brought to light some of the steps, a corridor and a granite floor.

Keep in mind how lucky we are, because after thousand of years we can see something like that. Don't forget that the Eternal City does not give us more that some small relics of its past. Just think about the huge re-use of old materials perpetrated over the centuries, as evidenced by the burn marks are still to be found in the remains of the marble floor of the complex. In the course of the Middle Ages and beyond, the old Auditorium (or Athenaeum) was used as a quarry of material directly on site, the lime or the marble were cooked and extracted to be reused. A shame, certainly, but also a way to understand, better, the great past of this city. And don't forget how there is another example in Rome of some excavations, for a new subway station, which were able to reveal important archeological artifacts. To know more click here...