Tempus fugit!

Festivities are underway in Rome to commemorate the founding of the city in the 9th century B.C. According to tradition, one day in April in the year 753 in the pre-Christian era, Romulus founded a community on the Palatine Hill. Some decades ago, archaeologists discovered what appear to be remnants of this early settlement, substantiating the persistent legend. During the imperial period, the magnificence of the residences of the emperors on the Palatine was unrivaled, engendering the term "palace." Today, surveying the magnificent ruins on the Palatine and in the Roman Forum below is what would be called in literary terms an "ubi sunt" experience. Gazing upon the triumphal arches and temple facades, and recalling that this was once the center of the world, even the most casual visitor cannot help but think, "Where are they now?"