Byron and the Coliseum: The Art of Recycling

Early in May 1817, Byron paid his only visit to Rome. Upon arrival, he immediately began a frenetic round of sightseeing both in the city itself and in the Campagna, and since he was simultaneously revising 'Manfred', worrying over his daughter's fate amongthe Milbankes and trying to expedite the sale of Newstead, it is unsurprising that his letters are perfunctory in their enumeration of the cultural highlights. "I have been riding my saddle horses every day," he told Murray on 9 May "... about the city & in the city - for all which - vide Guide-Book." Next day, he wrote to Augusta Leigh "OfRome I say nothing - you can read the Guide-book - which is very accurate", and on 12 May Moore was short-changed with "Of Rome I say nothing; it is quite indescribable, and the Guide-book is as good as any other".