"R" is for Roman Ruins

This is Day 18 for the

Blogging from A to Z Challenge

for 2013.

The topic for today is the Romans and the ruins of their ancient settlements found outside the walls of Rome.

The town of Pompeii south of Rome was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, preserving extensive ruins under layers of volcanic ash.

The Ruins of Pompeii

Roman Statue, Pompeii

Roman Column, Pompeii

Street in Pompeii

The Romans also ventured further afield into modern day France where the remains of their aqueducts, amphitheatres and settlements can still be found. The Pont du Gard in Languedoc-Roussillon was an aqueduct built to carry water to the town of  Nîmes.

The Pont du Gard

The Colosseum in Rome may be the most well-known amphitheatre, but much of the structure lies in ruin.

The Colosseum, Rome

The arenas in Nîmes and Arles are still in use today.

The Nîmes Arena

The Arles  Arena

Nîmes is also home to a well preserved Roman temple, the Maison Carrée.

Maison Carrée, Nîmes

In the town of St. Remy-de-Provence you'll find two large monuments and ruins of the Roman town of Glanum.

Mausoleum and Triumphal Arch, Glanum

Glanum, St. Remy-de-Provence

Evidence of ancient Roman culture extends far beyond Rome to Great Britain and the town of Bath where a natural hot spring became the Roman Baths.

The Roman Baths, Bath

Roman Spa, Bath

As I continue my travels across Europe I'll surely come across more ruins of this great civilization. And many of them are looking pretty good for their age, don't you agree?

Next:  "S" is for La Serra Spa