The Colosseum.

Although not the oldest structure I've visited, the Colosseum built in the first century is pretty darn close.  To stand in the arena and think about how much has happened here, and the history of this place is truly unfathomable.  Not only from the sense of the people that were attending events here in 1 AD, but also all the people I know that have walked through the stadium and under its arches (grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends) one, ten, twenty, or fifty years ago.  This stadium stood witness to Constantine bringing Christianity to Rome, to the Crusades, the discovery of the new world, to two world wars and man landing on the moon.  How is it that anything could survive for two millenia?  Truly amazing...

Rome grew to be an empire between 500 BC and the time of Christ before peaking for the next 200 years (and subsequently fell from about 200-500 AD).  Even in that short time they were able to accomplish enough that many aspects of their culture still have influence on nearly every aspect of modern life.  Our political system founded on principles of democracy and a republic and checks and balances first appears in history in Rome.  Roman culture influences are still seen in modern times in science, law, art, philosophy, religion, architecture and many more realms.  This is truly an eternal society; and to visit the Forum where the city of Rome truly has its ancient roots is awe-inspiring.

It is so humbling to stand in front of something that has bared witness to so much, and will continue to do so for so much more time; you feel so small in comparison (not only physically but of course temporally as well).  What an awesome feeling. 

CM