The exhibition takes place in three different venues: the Colosseum, The Curia in the Roman Forum (the house of the Roman Senate) and the Neronian Cryptoporticus.

“An old soldier of humble origins with a tanned face expressing hardship and a somewhat vulgar attitude…”

This is how Ranuccio Bianchi Bandinelli describes Vespasian at the beginning of the exhibition dedicated to one of the lesser know Emperors, but someone who changed Rome forever. Thanks to his policies and initiatives Rome developed considerably; the mark he left on the city is still visible today, starting from the Colosseum that, for the occasion, is venue of sculptures and paintings of the person responsible for its existence.

The exhibition’s main themes

The exhibition is articulated around 6 themes:

• The Sabine origins
• The Flavian dynasty
• The New Rome
• Domitian’s propaganda
• Le Vesuvian cities
• The Flavian dynasty and the empire

Rome is the theme as much as Titus Flavius Vespasianus himself

The Flavian dynasty had a big impact on Rome’s urban development, including building some of the most important landmarks, including:

• Templum Pacis (the Temple of Peace)
• The Colosseum
• The Domus Flavia on the Palatine Hill

This was achieved by establishing strong policies and taxation, for which Vespasian became famous (and infamous). A question that may come to mind is… Does Rome need Vespasian today?

Opening times

• 27 and 28 March from 8.30am to 5.30pm
• From 29 Mar to 31 Aug: 8.30am to 7.15pm
• From 1 to 30 Sep: 8.30am to 7pm
• From 1 to 24 Oct: 8.30am to 6.30pm
• From 25 Oct to 10 Jan ’10: 8.30am to 4.30pm

Entry to the exhibition will be denied 1 hour before closing time.

The exhibition is closed on the 1st of May, 25th of December and 1st of January.

Colosseum apartments

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