Palatine Hill rises directly above the forum, and was the home of the emperors. Each emperor tended to build his own palace (by the way the word palace comes from the Palatine hill), and each liked his to be grander than the next. Unfortunately the hill was only so big, so subsequent emperors built huge platforms extending off the hill so they could continue their construction sprees that bankrupted the empire. Even more unfortunately, this area was also abandoned and most of these palaces are largely lost. The hill was used mainly by grazing goats, giving it the name goatherders hill in the middle ages. They are now starting to excavate the place, so it may look totally different as they dig, but for now there isn't that much to see apart from excavation sites, a small museum, some foundations, and a well preserved stadium for private gymnastic events.