The Ancient City of Rome

Rome is among the oldest cities of the modern world. It was founded by the demigod siblings of Remus and Romulus on April 21, 753 B.C. Subsequently, Romulus murdered Remus to become the first ruler of Rome and the city was named after him.

Before it was recognized as Eternal City by Latin poet Tibullus, Rome was named as the City of God by Saint Augustine as well as the Urbs Sacra or the Sacred City and Caput Mundi or the capital of the world.

Ancient Rome was also most famous for being called as the City of Seven Hills as it was built on a septenary of hills specifically the Caelian Hill, the Viminal Hill, Aventine Hill, Capitoline Hill, Palatine Hill, Esquiline Hill, and Quirinal Hill.

In addition, Ancient Rome was also equipped with a place known as the Forum, which was the center of the Roman public life.

The Forum

The Forum was a rectangular-shaped plaza which was surrounded by religious basilicas and temples.

Most of the city’s signature events such as public proceedings, processions, elections, and debates took place at the Forum.

The empire of Rome started out small but grew by leaps and bounds. As a matter of fact, more than one million people started living city at one point during Ancient Rome.

For over a millennium, the city of Rome was the base of civilization and power not only in Europe but also in the world.

Despite being physically mangled and economically crippled during the Middle Ages, Rome stayed as one of the most powerful cities in the globe.

It regained its wealth and power back with the help of Christianity which reinstated the city of Rome as a primary source of learning, the center of arts, and a place of elegance.

Interestingly enough, Rome also became the ultimate city to be a part of unified Italy.

At present, Rome serves as a memory of the innovative history of Italy as it remains as the political and religious capitals of the globe.

It is located in the halfway part of the Italian peninsula on the Tiber River which is about 24 kilometers from the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Facts about the Ancient City of Rome

• The second King of Rome was Numa Pompilius. Unlike Romulus who was a warrior king, Emperor Pompilius was a lawmaker and politician.
• The city of Rome is geared with a number of important buildings. Among those include the Arch of Septimius Severus, Senate Curia, Rostra, Temple of Caesar, Temple of Saturn, Tabularium, The Regia, Rostra, and The Comitium. Other buildings in Rome are the Temple of Jupiter, Pompey’s Theatre, Circus Maximus, and the world-renowned Colosseum.
• Remus and Romulus were the sons of the God known as Mars.
• Legend has it that both Romulus and Remus were tossed by their uncle on the Tiber River. Acca Larentia and Faustulus later found and nurtured the twins.
• Rome’s hot and dry climate often has temperatures of more than 24 degrees Celsius. It is, however, worth noting that the ponentino cools the hot weather during the afternoons. The ponentino is a west wind which comes from the sea of Tyrrhenian.
• Rome is rumored to have a number of secret names which include Valentia, Hirpa, and Evouia.
• In 1993, Francesco Rutelli became the first directly-elected Mayor of the City of Rome.
• The city of Rome is classified into 35 urban sectors and 22 districts.

Q&A

Where was Rome founded?
Numerous historians suggest that Romulus founded the city on Palatine Hill.

What are the roads that lead to the City of Rome?
Among the roads that lead into the city of Rome include the Via Salaria, the Via Aurelia, the Via Appia, and the Via Cassia.

Who were the early rulers of Rome?
Traditional beliefs say that the early rulers of Rome were people known as the Etruscans.

What is the building Regia for?
The Regia was a place of residence for the Kings of Rome. Consequently, it became the office of the leader of Roman aristocracy which was recognized as the Pontifex Maximus.

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