Discover the sights of Rome

No trip to Rome is complete without hearing the city’s most famous legend—the story of Romulus and Remus. According to Roman myth, these twin brothers were abandoned as infants and miraculously rescued by a she-wolf, who nursed them in a cave. Raised to adulthood, the twins decided to build a city of their own. But after a bitter argument, Romulus killed Remus and named the new city after himself—Rome.

Ancient Roman writers marked the city’s founding on April 21, 753 BC, a date still celebrated today with historical reenactments and festivals. For many Romans, this wasn’t just a tale—it was the origin story that connected them to the land and to each other.

Early History of Rome: From Kings to Republic

The story of ancient Rome starts with a legend, according to which Romulus founded the city. For the next 244 years, Rome was ruled by kings, including Romulus himself, Numa Pompilius, and the last, Lucius Tarquinius Superbus. The kings came from various backgrounds, such as Latin, Sabine, and Etruscan origins, and their reigns shaped the city’s early development.

The Birth of the Republic

In 509 BC, the Romans decided they had enough of monarchy. They overthrew the last king and established a republic. This new system was led by two consuls who were elected every year. The transition wasn’t smooth, though, as there were constant struggles between the wealthy patricians and the common plebeians. Meanwhile, Rome expanded its influence across Italy, defeating local tribes and eventually conquering the entire Italian peninsula.

By the 3rd century BC, Rome had begun to dominate the Mediterranean. It fought in the Punic Wars against Carthage and the Macedonian Wars against Greece, expanding its territory into places like Sicily, Hispania, and Macedonia. These wars solidified Rome’s control over large parts of the Mediterranean world.

Internal Struggles and the Rise of Generals

From the late 2nd century BC, internal conflicts erupted between the optimates (conservative senators) and the populares (who relied on the support of the plebs). This period saw a rise in professional armies, which became more loyal to their generals than to the republic. Key figures like Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus came to the forefront. Caesar’s conquest of Gaul made him extremely powerful, leading to a civil war with Pompey and the Senate.

After Caesar’s victory, he declared himself dictator for life. However, his assassination in 44 BC led to another civil war, ultimately resulting in the rise of Octavian (Caesar's heir) and the end of the Roman Republic. By 27 BC, Octavian became the first Roman Emperor, marking the start of the Roman Empire.

Rome's Rise and Fall: From Empire to Decline

In 27 BC, Octavian became Augustus, the first emperor of Rome. This marked the beginning of the Roman Empire and the shift to a new system of government known as the Principate, where power was shared between the emperor and the Senate. Over time, the title of imperator (commander) became synonymous with emperor. Under Augustus, Rome's empire expanded significantly, and the city became known as the "caput mundi," or capital of the known world. The first two centuries of the empire were dominated by the Julio-Claudian, Flavian, and Antonine dynasties, a period of stability and prosperity.

During this time, the Roman Empire reached its greatest extent under Emperor Trajan. Christianity began to spread, a movement that started with Jesus Christ in Judea and grew through the efforts of his apostles. The Antonine age, considered the empire’s zenith, saw Roman territory stretch from the Atlantic Ocean to the Euphrates River and from Britain to Egypt.

The Crisis and Reforms

However, the empire’s stability was shattered in the 3rd century AD. After the death of the Severan dynasty, the empire entered the Crisis of the Third Century, a period marked by political instability, economic decline, and external threats. Generals fought for power, and invasions by Germanic tribes and the Persian Empire destabilized the region. The empire faced rampant inflation, civil wars, and a devastating plague.

In 285 AD, Emperor Diocletian ended the chaos by reforming the empire. He split it into two parts, with one emperor ruling the East and another the West. Diocletian’s reign also saw the introduction of the Dominate, a more authoritarian system of government. He tried to curb inflation by imposing price controls, although these proved unsuccessful.

Constantine and the Rise of Christianity

Diocletian’s reforms laid the groundwork for Constantine the Great, who eventually unified the empire in 324. Constantine moved the capital to Byzantium, which he renamed Constantinople. He also made Christianity the official religion of the empire with the Edict of Thessalonica in 380, setting the stage for the Christianization of Rome.

Constantine also reformed the administration, separating military command from civilian rule and organizing the empire into regional dioceses. His reign marked a significant shift in Roman governance.

The Fall of the Western Roman Empire

Despite Constantine’s reforms, the Western Roman Empire continued to weaken. Rome’s decline accelerated in the 5th century, especially after the Visigoths sacked the city in 410. The population of Rome had already dropped significantly, from around 800,000 to 450,000. By the time the Vandals sacked the city in 455, Rome’s importance had diminished.

In 476 AD, Romulus Augustulus, the last Roman emperor in the West, was deposed by the Germanic chieftain Odoacer. This event marked the official end of the Western Roman Empire and the beginning of the Middle Ages. The fall of Rome was not only due to invasions but also the loss of resources and the inability of the emperors to maintain control over the empire’s vast territory.

Despite the city's decline, efforts were made to preserve its monumental structures, though much of the population had fled or perished. By the early 6th century, after the Gothic siege of 537, Rome’s population had fallen drastically to just 30,000, but it later rose to 90,000 under the papacy of Gregory the Great.

After the Western Roman Empire fell in 476 AD, Rome went through dramatic changes. The city first came under the control of Odoacer, and later the Ostrogoths. It was a difficult time for the city, with its population dropping from over a million in the 2nd century to just 35,000 by the 6th century. The once-bustling metropolis now had large areas of ruins and overgrown land.

The church played a major role during this period. As the center of Christianity, Rome became more significant because of the martyrdom of saints Peter and Paul. The Bishop of Rome, known as the Pope, began to gain power, making the city a religious hub.

Political Struggles and Papal Power

As the city was rebuilding, it faced constant battles for control. The Lombard invasion in the 6th century left Rome under the nominal control of the Byzantine Empire. Over time, the popes found ways to balance their relationships with the Byzantines, Franks, and Lombards. By 756, Pepin the Short, a Frankish king, gave the Pope control over the Roman Duchy, starting the creation of the Papal States.

In 800, Charlemagne was crowned Emperor by Pope Leo III, marking the start of the Holy Roman Empire. This signaled the beginning of a long period of power struggles. Several feuding noble families, like the Theodora and Marozia clans, battled for control of Rome, leading to chaos in the city.

Rome's Transformation and Reform

The 11th century brought significant reforms. Pope Gregory VII worked to strengthen the church’s power, engaging in a famous conflict with Emperor Henry IV over the church’s independence. This period also saw the rise of the commune system, where wealthy families gained influence.

By the 14th century, the papacy moved to France during the Avignon Papacy, leaving Rome in turmoil. When the pope returned to Rome in 1376, the city was in the middle of the Western Schism, a period of division within the church. The city, however, began to revive, marking a new chapter in its history.

In the early 15th century, Rome entered a new chapter in its history. After the Western Schism was settled in 1418, Pope Martin V brought peace to the city, paving the way for the Renaissance. The ruling popes, from Nicholas V to Pius II, invested heavily in transforming Rome into a hub of culture, art, and power. This period marked the rise of the Renaissance in Rome, with the city becoming the center of Italian art, moving away from Florence.

Renaissance Art and Architecture

The 16th century saw Rome’s streets filled with some of the greatest works of art. Under the guidance of Popes like Julius II, Leo X, and Clement VII, Rome became home to masterpieces by Michelangelo, Raphael, and other legendary artists. Key projects included the rebuilding of Saint Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel ceiling, and the creation of Ponte Sisto, the first new bridge across the Tiber in centuries.

While Rome’s artistic achievements soared, the popes’ extravagant spending on these projects, along with their corrupt behavior, led to criticism and played a role in the Reformation and the Counter-Reformation. Despite the controversy, Rome continued to shine as a cultural capital of Europe.

The Fall of the Renaissance and the Counter-Reformation

In 1527, the city was sacked by troops under Emperor Charles V, marking the end of Rome’s golden age during the Renaissance. The city struggled to recover, but the popes continued to push for religious and cultural renewal. The Council of Trent in 1545 marked the beginning of the Counter-Reformation, with the Church aiming to regain its influence. The papacy focused on rebuilding Rome’s grandeur with new baroque buildings, transforming the city once again.

Rome’s Changing Landscape

Throughout the 17th and early 18th centuries, Rome’s landscape continued to evolve with the construction of monumental baroque buildings. The papacy and wealthy families, like the Barberini and Chigi, commissioned grand structures, creating the city we recognize today. The papacy also supported archaeological studies and improvements to public welfare, though it faced challenges such as the suppression of the Jesuits in 1773.

Rome's modern history is filled with dramatic changes, from political upheavals to explosive growth in the 20th century.

From the Roman Republic to Italian Unification

In the late 18th century, Rome’s status as the capital of the Papal States was interrupted by the brief Roman Republic (1798–1800), influenced by the French Revolution. The Papal States were restored, but Napoleon’s reign saw Rome annexed into the French Empire from 1808 to 1814. After Napoleon’s fall, the Congress of Vienna in 1814 re-established the Papal States.

In 1849, another Roman Republic was proclaimed during the wave of revolutions across Europe. Although short-lived, figures like Giuseppe Mazzini and Giuseppe Garibaldi played a key role in this push for Italian unification. By 1861, Italy was unified as the Kingdom of Italy, though Rome remained under the control of the Pope. After French troops withdrew in 1870, Italian forces captured Rome, and in 1871, the city officially became the capital of Italy.

Mussolini and the Fascist Era

In the 1920s, Italy fell under the rule of Benito Mussolini and his Fascist regime. Mussolini marched on Rome in 1922 and eventually dismantled the democracy, leading Italy into an alliance with Nazi Germany. During his rule, Mussolini transformed Rome's cityscape, demolishing parts of the city to build wide avenues and squares designed to glorify the Fascist regime.

World War II and Post-War Growth

During World War II, Rome avoided the devastation of other European cities due to the Vatican’s presence and its art treasures. However, in 1943, the San Lorenzo district was bombed by the Allies, resulting in thousands of casualties. Following Mussolini's arrest in July 1943 and the German occupation, Rome faced further hardship. The city was liberated in June 1944.

After the war, Rome experienced a period of rapid growth during Italy’s "economic miracle" of the 1950s and 1960s. The city became a global cultural hub, known for films like Roman Holiday and La Dolce Vita, and saw its population rise to over 2.8 million by the mid-1980s. However, as the city expanded, more people began to move to the suburbs.

Rome's modern history is marked by its transformation from a seat of religious power to a modern, thriving metropolis, with all the complexity and turmoil of the 20th century.

Rome's modern history is filled with dramatic changes, from political upheavals to explosive growth in the 20th century.

From the Roman Republic to Italian Unification

In the late 18th century, Rome’s status as the capital of the Papal States was interrupted by the brief Roman Republic (1798–1800), influenced by the French Revolution. The Papal States were restored, but Napoleon’s reign saw Rome annexed into the French Empire from 1808 to 1814. After Napoleon’s fall, the Congress of Vienna in 1814 re-established the Papal States.

In 1849, another Roman Republic was proclaimed during the wave of revolutions across Europe. Although short-lived, figures like Giuseppe Mazzini and Giuseppe Garibaldi played a key role in this push for Italian unification. By 1861, Italy was unified as the Kingdom of Italy, though Rome remained under the control of the Pope. After French troops withdrew in 1870, Italian forces captured Rome, and in 1871, the city officially became the capital of Italy.

Mussolini and the Fascist Era

In the 1920s, Italy fell under the rule of Benito Mussolini and his Fascist regime. Mussolini marched on Rome in 1922 and eventually dismantled the democracy, leading Italy into an alliance with Nazi Germany. During his rule, Mussolini transformed Rome's cityscape, demolishing parts of the city to build wide avenues and squares designed to glorify the Fascist regime.

World War II and Post-War Growth

During World War II, Rome avoided the devastation of other European cities due to the Vatican’s presence and its art treasures. However, in 1943, the San Lorenzo district was bombed by the Allies, resulting in thousands of casualties. Following Mussolini's arrest in July 1943 and the German occupation, Rome faced further hardship. The city was liberated in June 1944.

After the war, Rome experienced a period of rapid growth during Italy’s "economic miracle" of the 1950s and 1960s. The city became a global cultural hub, known for films like Roman Holiday and La Dolce Vita, and saw its population rise to over 2.8 million by the mid-1980s. However, as the city expanded, more people began to move to the suburbs.

Rome's modern history is marked by its transformation from a seat of religious power to a modern, thriving metropolis, with all the complexity and turmoil of the 20th century.