Audiovisual Tour Guides
ROME SELF-GUIDED TOURS
PALATINE HILL
Combining the magic of history, travel and storytelling by allowing visitors to not just see the sites, but step inside their stories.
The Palatine Hill is at the center of the seven hills of Rome. It is the legendary site of the cave where the twins Romulus and Remus were found by the she-wolf Lupa and is the mythological location where Hercules' defeated the fire-breathing monster Cacus. The fable tells how Hercules struck the giant so hard with his wooden club that it formed a cleft on the southeast corner of the hill.
From its earliest days, the Palatine represented the heart of the ancient empire where the wealthiest Romans built their homes. It then became the site where the very first emperor - Augustus - built Rome's first imperial palace.
Between 81 and 92 AD, Emperor Domitian built a massive palace on the eastern side of the hill - both with public and private structures. The ruins of that palace remain today.
The imperial palace that Domitian built remained the home for subsequent Emperors for another 225 years. The last night an Emperor resided there was the 27th of October, 312 AD - the night before the battle of the Milvian Bridge between Emperor Maxentius & Emperor Constantine and the start of our tour...
It is nightfall on the 27th of October in the year 312 A.D. Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maxentius Augustus, known to history simply as Maxentius has been named Emperor by an ineffectual Senate. He has made his court on the Palatine Hill as did the first true Emperors of Rome. The usurper Constantine has claimed himself Emperor and now sits with his army on the far side of the Tiber river, just beyond the Milvian Bridge. A battle is coming.
On the eve of this defining moment, Maxentius seeks to understand Rome’s future through ancient prophecy and ceremonial offerings to the gods. The only thing certain is that the morning will herald great change amid disaster and bloodshed, and Maxentius is challenging fate and the will of gods as he prepares for the dawn.
Step Inside the Story of this true event and learn about Emperor Maxentius, this critical turning point in Rome’s history and its reliance on prophecy & sacrifice. Walk through the Palace grounds with Maxentius as he prepares for the dawn. Envision the palace through his eyes and watch as he hides a secret that lays buried for almost 1700 years. Includes digital reconstructions.
SIMON TURNEY
AUTHOR
International bestselling author of over thirty historical novels including The Damned Emperor Series & Marius Mules Series.
PHILIP STEVENS
NARRATOR
Award winning Actor, Director, Writer & Producer at Urban Apache Films. Also known for audio book narration on numerous bestselling books
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