With the death of Julius Caesar in 44 BCE, Rome entered a period of political upheaval settled only when Caesar's nephew Octavian defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra, took control of the Empire, and claimed the title of Caesar Augustus. In this three-hour Ancient Rome tour, we will look closely at this period and how, under the influence of the first emperors, Rome rapidly developed into one of the greatest capitals of the ancient world. Along the way your expert will weave a narrative of power and legacy as we visit some of the most important monuments of ancient Rome, including the Pantheon, the Theater of Marcellus, and Largo Argentina.

Our tour begins at the Theater of Marcellus, originally conceived by Julius Caesar as a statement of prestige in his war of status with Pompey, but built by his nephew Augustus after his death. As one of the largest Roman theaters still standing and an amazing testament to Rome's ability to adapt and reuse its buildings throughout history, we'll use this monument as a jumping off point to lay the groundwork of our time together. Depending on our guide, who may be an archaeologist, classicist, architect, or other specialist, our discussion may take any number of paths. However, some central themes will emerge regardless: the story of the Caesars and their political adventures at the turn of the millennium, the intersection of art and power, the development of Rome as the center of an empire, and the role of city-making in history.

Our path will follow, roughly, a kind of monumental way envisioned by Augustus when remaking the old Field of Mars into a new center for the city. We'll pass many of the structures that played a key role in this, including the Pantheon, regarded during the Renaissance as the most perfect building in the world. We'll also pass the site where Julius Caesar was murdered on the Ides of March. Although the Caesars will occupy much of our time, we'll also look at many other emperors and their impact on the city as they contributed to the imperial remaking of Rome. We'll look at how architecture was employed for political ends during the imperial period and how one can read that history today in the standing ruins embedded in the historical fabric of Rome.

Our walk will end in the vicinity of the Ara Pacis, a museum housing the great altar of peace commissioned by Augustus to signal the Pax Romana, or period of relatively uninterrupted peace ushered in by Augustus and lasting over a hundred years. In the shadow of Augustus' own mausoleum we'll discuss the legacy of the Caesars, both real and imagined, and how successive rulers down to the Fascists of the 20th century drew on the narrative of Julius and Augustus Caesar to validate their own rule. We'll emerge with a new sense of Rome and its relevancy to issues today.

Interested in more Ancient Roman history? See our Colosseum Tour.

Our private tours are limited exclusively to travelers in your party. They are designed to provide a learning experience that is completely tailored to you and your traveling companions. Private tours give you more flexibility with scheduling (you decide when the walk best fits in your trip), the ability to tailor your itinerary (we'll work to match the itinerary to the interests and dynamics of your group), and more personalized time with your guide.

Our small group tours cover many of the same itineraries as our private tours, but they place you with other travelers in groups of 6 or less. They operate on a pre-scheduled calendar, and are designed to provide an opportunity to engage with and learn from other travelers. Most of our small group tours require at least three (3) participants to run, although there is some variation from walk to walk. However, there is some variation from walk to walk. As you sign up for a tentative walk we display the minimum number required in order to confirm.

Does this tour focus on Julius Caesar?
No, while this tour covers a bit of Julius' life, its main focus with the venues on this tour is the rebuilding of imperial Rome right after his death. The tour focuses on the legacy of the Caesars, with many of the venues being tied to Augustus' contributions to Rome.

Are tickets included on this tour?
Yes! It is now required to purchase tickets in order to enter the Pantheon. Context will pre-purchase these tickets in anticipation of your tour.

The Pantheon is considered a holy place. Men should wear slacks, and women should wear slacks or skirts below the knee. Shoulders must also be covered. If you are intent on wearing spaghetti straps or a halter-top, bring a shawl and expect to keep it around you. Shorts above the knee are not allowed. These rules may seem unduly strict, but remember, the Pantheon is also a church so the same dress code standards apply.

Do you reserve headsets for this tour? 

Depending on your group size, we may be required by the venue to order headsets in which case you’ll see a “Headset Fee” added to your order. If you would like to guarantee headsets for your tour regardless of your group size, please email us and we’ll be happy to get them reserved for you.