I guess for a person who has studied architecture, going to Rome would be the equivalent of an archaeology graduate visiting the pyramids

Yes, exactly. I find the relatable connection between my studying and seeing such landmarks in person. I had to spend so much time and energy learning about architectural landmarks so when I got to see them in person, the experience was quite nice.

Certainly a city as rich as Rome cannot be fully enjoyed in just 36 hours. I even think that if you put together a tour with a specialized company, it would take (at least) a couple of weeks to be able to visit a large number of locations, and try different dishes in different restaurants :)

Yes, you are right. In Rome, you will get a guide for 2 hours walking tour but it's not enough because at some point you will feel exhausted and can't enjoy such an excursion anymore. Colosseum inside exploration takes a minimum of 2 hours for the detailed tour so time flies quickly. We had a 2 hours tour guide in Venice and trust me, I can't even remember a single thing she explained back to them because it was too much. I regret now not having a gondola ride instead of 2 hours walking tour...

You need to be a very specific planner when you visit such a significant city otherwise the entire experience will be overwhelming...

I wish you a love day, I hope you are doing well my friend...