Roman Ruins and Amphitheater on Tusculum
BRIEF NOTES ON THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AREA OF TUSCULUM (The Philosophers' Hill) just to whet your appetite. Best to take a taxi if you aren't a good trekker, book a visit with an English speaking expert in advance (see below). This is a fabulous PANORAMIC spot.
Taken from the archaeological park's website http://www.tuscoloparcoarcheologicoculturale.it/en/archaeological-cultural-park/
''Wedged in between the municipalities of Montecompatri, Monte Porzio, Frascati and Grottaferrata, Tusculum is at the heart of the history and culture of the Roman Castles area. Today archaeological traces of different periods in history overlap here, marking the most important events of this ancient Roman city, from its pre-Roman origins to its destruction in 1191.
The origins of Tusculum are steeped in legend: it is said that it was founded by Telegonus, the mythical son of Ulysses and the goddess Circe. What we do know for certain is that the first traces of human settlement date to the middle Bronze Age, around the 14th century BC.
Tusculum quickly became one of the most important cities in the Latin League, proudly opposing Roman expansionism but defeated in the famous Battle of Lake Regillus in 496 BC.
Once it did come under Roman dominion, Tuscolo became the privileged summer residence of emperors, senators and writers of great fame, starting a tradition that has even reached us today. Among the most renowned villas, mention goes to those owned by Silla, Cicero, Lucullus, Tiberius and Matidia.
In medieval times, under the Counts of Tuscolo, a dynasty that gave the church numerous popes, it dominated the Capitoline chronicles, exerting influence over political events until the Municipality of Rome ordered its destruction in1191 AD.''
The Gruppo Archeologico Latino Vetus offer private tours (in English) at weekends.
gallv@libero.it
Taken from the archaeological park's website http://www.tuscoloparcoarcheologicoculturale.it/en/archaeological-cultural-park/
''Wedged in between the municipalities of Montecompatri, Monte Porzio, Frascati and Grottaferrata, Tusculum is at the heart of the history and culture of the Roman Castles area. Today archaeological traces of different periods in history overlap here, marking the most important events of this ancient Roman city, from its pre-Roman origins to its destruction in 1191.
The origins of Tusculum are steeped in legend: it is said that it was founded by Telegonus, the mythical son of Ulysses and the goddess Circe. What we do know for certain is that the first traces of human settlement date to the middle Bronze Age, around the 14th century BC.
Tusculum quickly became one of the most important cities in the Latin League, proudly opposing Roman expansionism but defeated in the famous Battle of Lake Regillus in 496 BC.
Once it did come under Roman dominion, Tuscolo became the privileged summer residence of emperors, senators and writers of great fame, starting a tradition that has even reached us today. Among the most renowned villas, mention goes to those owned by Silla, Cicero, Lucullus, Tiberius and Matidia.
In medieval times, under the Counts of Tuscolo, a dynasty that gave the church numerous popes, it dominated the Capitoline chronicles, exerting influence over political events until the Municipality of Rome ordered its destruction in1191 AD.''
The Gruppo Archeologico Latino Vetus offer private tours (in English) at weekends.
gallv@libero.it
