Museum Sunday: Power (Musei Capitolini)

Rome was built on stories about power — who has it, who's remembered for having it, and who got left out of the marble entirely. This museum isn't just a room of statues. It's propaganda that outlived the people who commissioned it. We'll walk through with a few questions in mind: why do rulers put up statues of themselves? What actually makes a figure look powerful — size, pose, face? Can a building intimidate you the same way a person can? And does any of it still work on us, or did we get too self-aware for it?

We'll spend time with:

the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius, the Capitoline Wolf, the Dying Gaul, the colossal head of Constantine (his eyes alone deserve ten minutes), and the Spinario.

Meeting point: On Piazza del Campidoglio itself, right by the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius — you can't miss it, it's in the center of the square. Look for me there at 16:00. Closest metro: Colosseo (Line B), about 10 minutes on foot (or climb Michelangelo's Cordonata staircase from Piazza Venezia — the more scenic route in).

How this works:

We meet at 16:00 — a few minutes to say hi and set expectations. At 16:15 we go in together and spend about 45 minutes with the works, moving as a group, with space to talk as we go. Around 17:00 you get 15 minutes on your own. At 17:15 we head into Monti, about 10–12 minutes on foot, to Ai Tre Scalini (Via Panisperna, 251 — worth arriving early, it gets a line) for about an hour of drinks and reflection. Total time: about 2.5 hours.

A note on what this is (and isn't):

I'm not a licensed guide. I won't be walking you through art history or filling silence with dates and facts. My role is to facilitate — questions that help you notice what's happening in you, not just in the marble. The stories and the context come later, over drinks, once we've actually looked.

Cost:

€15, paid on the spot at the beginning, covers the organizing. Museum entry is free (first Sunday of the month). Drinks after are on your own budget, €10+.

Joining:

Groups capped at 5–10 people. You'll be added to a WhatsApp group for this event once you're in.

Cancellations:

Life happens — let me know in the WhatsApp group as soon as you can, so I can offer your spot to someone els