Here Cicero orated, Caesar's body burned, triumphal arches rose: the Forum — the empire's sacred way of temples and basilicas, Palatine hill above holding the emperors' palaces and the full explanatory view. The Colosseum ticket includes it — enter by the calmer Palatine gate; Palatine first for the orienting view then descend to detail — the smarter order; shade is scarce and water essential, mornings kindest in heat seasons.