“You all get to be our guinea pigs for the Forum light show,” Linda told us. She was referring to the new light show at the Imperial Forum of Caesar in historic Rome, an event JSB had yet to attend. Beforehand, whenever I read the name “Caesar’s Forum Light Show” on our schedule sheet, I would picture something similar to the light parade at Disney’s Magic Kingdom, with flashing neon lights for pure entertainment. I was wrong. It was more enlightening than anything I could have ever imaged.
We arrived, entered the usually inaccessible part of the Forum with our tickets, and were handed a headset with radio by the staff. Each radio and headset was timed to provide information with accompanying music according to each area of the Forum we approached. As we walked silently through the dark Forum, beams of light would outline pieces of the ruins, and the guide on the radio would explain its history. The most amazing part of the show was when light was used to recreate how the Forum looked in its glory days. It was truly as if we were stepping back in time.
Throughout the show, I was nearly frustrated that I could not actually step back into time. We were given such a close glimpse of what life in the Forum was actually like, that it left me wanting more. Our group was solemn and awestruck as we walked through the ancient ruins which were revived through modern technology. I have a feeling this night will remain as one of my favorite experiences of this incredible semester.
by Olivia Glover

The only remaining upright columns of the Temple of Venus in the Roman Forum. They are shown bathed in light during Caesar’s Forum light show.