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Rome history


 

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The Eternal City, the Cradle of the Republic, the Pinnacle of Western Civilization… these and many others are the aliases of Rome. The beginning of this city played a vital role in the coursing and mapping of world history and has been the subject of both myths and facts alike. Poets and patrons made and told stories about this magnificent city of the gods. In hearing so, one may recall the tale of Prince Aeneas when he started the founding of a city that was later to be named Rome, after the fall of Troy from the Greeks; or the tale of the founder twins Romulus and Remus who were raised by a she-wolf as infants.

The city of Rome is one of the oldest and the most preserved to date. There are speculations that set the proximate era of its establishment. Despite the claims of the Romans that they were able to establish the eternal city in 753 B.C., views and analyses of modern historians suggest that the recognition of Rome as a city was not proven until over a century later in 625 B.C.

Rome started as a small settlement in Latin-speaking vicinity on the Western side of the Italian Peninsula. This group of people where the first Roman predecessors came about is called the Latiums. During the early development of Rome, its type of rule is actually monarchic in nature. This political arrangement continued even after the takeover of the Etruscans. However, after the last three Etruscan monarchs that ruled Rome, the concept of a “Republic” came to being, following the ouster of the last monarch in the year 510 B.C.

The onset of this new political era in the timeline of Rome brought about neo-political and neo-social structures. Some of these include the senate- political body composed of nobles that serve as advisors to the consul and the imperium- the entity that embodies the civil and executive power of the consul. One of the most notable changes in the newly formed structure is the classification or stratification of citizenship. During this period, there are four categories of citizenship based on political and social functions. These groups are the slaves, the plebeians (free people or the working class), the equestrians   (members of the Roman Army) and the patricians (nobles). From 625 B.C. until the middle of the third century A.D., Rome had assessed its presence as the greatest empire that was ever built.

The rich history of Rome was largely fueled by political undertakings, in 69 A.D. there were even four emperors at the same time. The changes in the social system from monarchic to republic to the time of emperors are but fragments of a very colorful and larger than life historical ‘facts and figures’ that is Rome.

The fall of the Roman Empire to the Visigoths in 476 A.D., last roman emperor was Romulus Augustulus, has not been extravagantly portrayed in the chronicles of the Roman existence for it is plainly dwarfed by the beauty and grandeur that was Rome.

 

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  • WazlingSanta Maria della Concezione >> added on October 1, 2009, by Wazling
    If you want to see some interesting thing in Rome, you should visit the Ossuarium of the church 'Santa Maria della Concezione'. Over 4000 skelettons of Kapuziner monks are positioned here, and even crosses and cristian smybols like the crown of jesus are made out of bones.
    On the entrance there is a saying: ' What you are, we were. What we are, you will become.' Funny, morbid things, people are doing.
  • MadSuhFonatana di Trevi >> added on September 23, 2009, by MadSuh
    Fontana di Trevi is one of the most beautiful fountains in the world. It must be! Obviously quite different from spectacular modern fountains this is a place of history and beauty.
    The fountain stands 25.9 meters (85 feet) high and is 19.8 meters (65 feet) wide. Although the Trevi fountain was built during the 15th century, it was rebuilt and enlarged by Bernini, one of the most famous Italian sculptors.

    Make sure when you go there you turn your back to the fountain and throw a coin in the water. This way you make sure that you'll return to Rome again.
  • dpassThe living museum >> added on August 21, 2009, by dpass
    The Eternal City...a living museum that one must see and experience.
  • MadSuhThe Vatican Musem >> added on July 14, 2009, by MadSuh
    The Vatican Museum is one of the most important Museums in Rome and probably in the World. You can find fantastic artwork including works of Rafael and the famous Sistine Chape. When in Rome, make sure you visit this place as it's really a place that everyone should see at least once in a lifetime.
  • MadSuhPantheon >> added on June 8, 2009, by MadSuh
    Pantheon: When in Rome, you must see the Pantheon. It's probably one of the most fascinating buildings in the City. The Pantheon was built 27 BC by the son-in-law of Augustus an for me it truly shows the lost beauty of ancient Rome the most. Unfortunately, many other buildings including the Colosseum and buildings on the Forum Romanum were used as quarries to build churches/streets etc but this building was somehow saved. Finally, there is a beautiful square in front of it where you can sit and enjoy a coffee or some slices of Pizza. Also, Piazza Navone is very close by. Entry is free.
 

 
 
 

 
 
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