italy

Below the Colosseum was a labyrinth of underground passages. These passages allowed animals, actors, and gladiators to suddenly appear in the middle of the arena. Pretty cool! They would use trap doors, as well, to add in special effects.

The Colosseum is massive! It was capable of seating as many as fifty thousand people. In it’s prime- animal hunts, battle reenactments, dramas, executions and gladiator battles took place here.
Interesting factoid: around five hundred thousand people and a million wild animals were killed as part of the games in the Colosseum during the time it was used as a place of entertainment.

This huge marble disc is called the Mouth of Truth. There is a medieval legend associated with it that says the mouth of the marble face will close down if anyone puts his hand in it and tells a lie.
It was (supposedly) used for people accused of committing perjury or adultery. They had to swear under oath and then put their hand into the mouth then wait to see what happened! According to the legend it was even used during the Middle Ages. An executioner would hide behind the disc with a sharp sword ready to cut off the hand of a liar! Yikes!
Notice in the pictures who was scared to put their hand in all the way! Emerson admitted that she lies sometimes – she admitted this while waiting in line! Lennon said he doesn’t lie but the face kind of scared him.

We were so excited to be in Rome and see Michael and Amanda! We also got to meet Baby Luca and their puppy Oliver. What a cute little family- Luca is such a happy baby (makes sense with who he has for parents.) After holding him, Jesse and I are thinking about having a fourth….. just kidding!
We walked to a restaurant in their neighborhood – I ate like I’ve never eaten before and talked Amanda’s ear off. Sorry about that! Thanks for a great night!