The Fascinating History of Rome: A Journey Through Time, from Remus & Romulus to the Present Day

Romulus and Remus were the sons of the Vestal Virgin Rhea Silvia and the god Mars. Their uncle, King Amulius, fearing that they might one day dethrone him, ordered their abandonment in the Tiber. But, luckily, a flood of the river saved them. A she-wolf found them and fed them. Later, shepherds adopted and raised them. As adults, the brothers wanted to build a city where they were saved. They didn't agree on the best location: Romulus preferred Palatine Hill, Remus the Aventine. This dispute intensified, and Romulus ended up killing Remus. Romulus then built the city of Rome on Palatine Hill.

Want to learn more about this story? Discover the secrets of the Palatine Hill on a guided tour.

Seven kings ruled Rome during this period. The last king, Tarquinius Superbus, was overthrown, marking the end of the monarchy.

1. Romulus (753-716 BC): With his brother Remus, he founded Rome after a dispute over the ideal location. It was Romulus who won the dispute and became the first king.
2. Numa Pompilius (715-672 BC): Known for his wisdom, he preferred peace to war and introduced many religious rites for the Romans.
3. Tullus Hostilius (672-640 BC): This king loved war. Under his reign, Rome expanded by defeating neighboring cities.
4. Ancus Marcius (640-616 BC): He strengthened ties between Rome and other cities by building a large bridge over the Tiber River.
5. Tarquinius Priscus (616-578 BC): Under his leadership, Rome grew with new roads and beautiful buildings.
6. Servius Tullius (578-535 BC): He is famous for organizing Roman citizens into groups according to their wealth.
7. Tarquinius Superbus (534-509 BC): Tarquinius was the last king of Rome. He had a harsh way of ruling, which made him unpopular with many. Under his reign, a tragic event occurred: a member of his family harmed Lucretia, a respected Roman lady. This angered the people, leading to a revolt against Tarquinius. Following this, the monarchy ended in Rome, and the Republic began.

• Rome becomes a republic where citizens have a say. During this period, Rome expands its territory and becomes a major power.
• Julius Caesar (100 – 44 BC): Caesar is a great general who expands the borders of Rome. He becomes powerful and declares himself dictator for life, which worries some in Rome. Fearing he will become too powerful, they conspire against him and assassinate him.
• Augustus Becomes the First Emperor (27 BC): After years of turmoil, Octavian, the nephew of Caesar, becomes the first emperor of Rome and takes the name Augustus.

The Golden Age of Emperors (1st and 2nd Centuries AD)

Emperors like Trajan and Hadrian ruled Rome when it was at its peak, controlling vast territories. Book your tour of the imperial monuments to learn more.

The Conversion of Constantine (4th Century AD)

Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity, changing the empire's main religion.

The Division of the Empire (285 AD)

Emperor Diocletian divided the Empire into two: the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire.

The Fall of the Western Roman Empire (August 22, 476)

After centuries of glory, the Western Roman Empire collapsed due to barbarian invasions, economic problems, and internal weaknesses. The Eastern Roman Empire, also called the Byzantine Empire, continued.

Charlemagne and the Carolingian Renaissance (Late 8th Century)

In the year 800, on Christmas Eve, Charlemagne, King of the Franks, was crowned emperor by Pope Leo III in the ancient Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican. This act gave birth to the Carolingian Empire, a precursor to the Holy Roman Empire. Although the capital of this empire was Aachen, Rome remained the religious heart of this new state, confirming its central role in the medieval world.

9th Century – Civitas Leonina

Following a Saracen raid in 846, Pope Leo IV undertook the fortification of the area around the Vatican, creating the Civitas Leonina, a precursor to the Papal States.

You can enjoy very interesting guided tours of the Vatican, which will immerse you in this era.

1100 – 1200 – The emergence of noble families

The Crescenzi and the Frangipane are among the families that build fortified residences, strengthening their power in Rome.

Mid-12th Century

Roman citizens found the consular municipality on Capitoline Hill, in opposition to papal authority and the autonomy of the nobles. During this period, Rome strengthened its defenses.

1798 – Roman Republic

Under the influence of the French Revolution, a short-lived republic was proclaimed, leading to the deposition and exile of Pope Pius VI by French forces.

1808 – The Napoleonic Era

Napoleon incorporated Rome into his empire and launched archaeological excavations, rediscovering treasures of ancient Rome.

1848 – 1849: Second Roman Republic

A new attempt to establish a democratic republic in Rome was supported by figures like Giuseppe Garibaldi.

1870 – The End of Temporal Power

The Bersaglieri, an elite corps of the Italian army recognizable by their feather-adorned hats, entered Rome, bringing an end to nearly 1,000 years of temporal power of the popes over the city.

• 1946: Rome was proclaimed capital of the new Italian Republic.
• 1950s-1960s: The city experienced an expansion in urban development and population. It became a world capital of cinema and entertainment, symbolized by the "Dolce Vita" of Via Veneto. Rome also transformed into a center of high fashion. Cinecittà, the heart of Italian cinema, opened its doors to visitors with "Cinecittà si Mostra", an exhibition that reveals the behind-the-scenes of the magic of cinema. Book your ticket for Cinecittà si Mostra and discover the backstage!
• 1960: Rome hosted the Olympic Games and saw the development of important infrastructure, including the beginning of the metro.

1957

Rome was the site of the signing of the Treaties of Rome, which established the European Economic Community (EEC). The EEC, precursor to the current European Union, aimed to create a common market and a customs union between its members, thus promoting European economic integration.

1962-1965

The Second Vatican Council, held in Rome, was a major assembly of the Catholic Church seeking to bring the Church closer to other Christian denominations and to modernize it in the context of the 20th century.

Contemporary Era

Rome, being the largest city in Italy, is the center of national political life and Catholic religion. The metropolitan city is created, with the city's mayor also governing this entity.