Rome Then and Now
By Cornell Scott / November 13, 2024
Rome Then
Rome, the historic capital of both the Lazio region and Italy itself, is a city steeped in history, culture, and mythology.
According to ancient Roman legend, Rome’s name is derived from Romulus, its legendary founder and first king.
The myth holds that Romulus and his twin brother, Remus, were abandoned as infants and raised by a she-wolf.
Eventually, Romulus founded the city on Palatine Hill, becoming its first ruler after a series of dramatic events that led to Remus’s death.
This foundation myth reflects Rome’s deep connection to ancient tales and highlights its significance as a city born from both legend and ambition, setting the stage for what would become one of the most influential civilizations in human history.
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Rome History
Rome’s history is a vast tapestry of growth, conflict, cultural shifts, and architectural transformations.
The earliest traces of human settlement in Rome date back to the Bronze Age around 1500 BC, although continuous habitation did not begin until the start of the 1st millennium BC.
By the 8th and 7th centuries BC, villages began to emerge on Rome’s famous hills, such as the Palatine and Aventine, populated by different Indo-European groups, including the Latins and Sabines.
The merger of these villages in the 7th century led to the founding of a unified settlement, and by the 6th century BC, under Etruscan influence, Rome transformed into a politically organized city-state ruled by kings.
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This regal period laid the foundation for Rome’s social and military structures, as well as the distinction between the patrician and plebeian classes, which shaped the city’s internal politics for centuries.
Rome’s transition to a republic around 509 BC marked a significant shift, coinciding with the decline of Etruscan dominance.
The new republican government was led by patrician consuls, though ongoing struggles between patricians and plebeians over political power shaped Rome’s legal landscape.
Economic hardships and political demands led to the establishment of the plebeian tribunes and the creation of the Law of the Twelve Tables.
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Rome also began to expand territorially, including the notable conquest of Veii in 396 BC, gradually becoming a powerful city-state in Italy.
This expansion continued despite setbacks, such as the Gallic siege in 390 BC, after which Rome reconstructed its defenses and resumed its growth.
By the Renaissance, Rome was the epicenter of European art and culture, largely driven by the patronage of the Papacy.
From the 15th to the early 16th centuries, popes like Julius II and Leo X transformed the city with monumental projects, including St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, attracting celebrated artists like Michelangelo and Raphael.
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This period, however, also exposed deep flaws within the Church, with corruption and extravagance that fueled the Reformation. Despite these issues, Rome continued to thrive artistically, though it suffered a blow with the sack by Charles V’s forces in 1527.
The 17th and 18th centuries saw Rome flourish under the Baroque movement, with grandiose buildings and monuments sponsored by powerful aristocratic families closely linked to the Papacy.
The 19th century brought political upheaval, with the rise of Italian nationalism leading to the fall of the Papal States and Rome’s designation as the capital of a unified Italy in 1871.
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Rome’s population and infrastructure expanded rapidly, and under Mussolini’s regime in the 1920s, large parts of the city center were reshaped to reflect Fascist ideals, aiming to evoke the grandeur of ancient Rome.
Despite bombings and hardships during World War II, Rome emerged relatively unscathed.
In the post-war years, Rome’s economy and cultural influence surged during the Italian economic boom.
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By the mid-20th century, films like Roman Holiday and La Dolce Vita helped establish Rome as a symbol of “the sweet life,” further cementing its status as a cultural icon.
The population peaked in the 1980s, but suburban migration has since slightly reduced its urban population.
Today, Rome remains a global hub, where layers of its rich history coexist with a vibrant, modern urban life, continuing to attract visitors and scholars from around the world.
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Rome Now
Rome, the capital of Italy and the Lazio region, is a city steeped in history, art, and culture.
Known for its powerful influence on Western civilization, Rome is often celebrated as the “Eternal City.”
It stands as both a political and spiritual hub, with Vatican City, the heart of the Catholic Church, nestled within its borders, making it the only city to house an independent country within its boundaries.
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Rome’s complex history includes its transformation from the seat of the Roman Kingdom to the Roman Republic and eventually the Roman Empire, with each era adding layers to the city’s architectural and cultural legacy.
Occupying 1,285 square kilometers, Rome is Italy’s most populated city and ranks as the third-most populous city within the European Union by city limits, with a metropolitan population of over four million people.
This metropolitan area is Italy’s most populous and serves as a center for international organizations like the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP).
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Rome’s position on the Tiber River, near the Tyrrhenian Sea, helped shape its historical development, supporting trade, transport, and military expansions that allowed it to grow as a major power in antiquity.
Rome’s enduring allure draws millions of tourists each year; in 2019, it ranked as the 14th most visited city worldwide.
The UNESCO-listed historic center features famous sites like the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Pantheon, as well as the iconic St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
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Rome’s food culture is also a highlight, with TasteAtlas recently naming it the city with the best food in the world in 2024.
The city’s vibrant culinary scene, rich heritage, and enduring status as a fashion and film hub make it a multifaceted capital, blending ancient charm with modern innovation.
The city’s historical significance is unparalleled, tracing its origins to around 753 BC and hosting human settlements for over three thousand years.
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From its early days as a small community of Latins, Etruscans, and Sabines to its rise as a global empire and the cultural heart of the Renaissance, Rome has evolved into a prominent global metropolis.
Modern Rome balances this heritage with its role as a major player in Italy’s economy, home to multinational corporations and the iconic Cinecittà Studios, which has produced award-winning films that contribute to its reputation as a center for art, fashion, and cinematic excellence.
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FAQs
Rome is famous for its rich history as the capital of the Roman Empire, its monumental architecture like the Colosseum and the Pantheon, and its role as the center of the Catholic Church with Vatican City.
It’s also renowned for its art, culture, and as a hub for global tourism.
Rome can be expensive, especially in tourist-heavy areas, but it offers a range of options to suit different budgets.
Dining, accommodations, and attractions in central areas are pricier, while local neighborhoods and markets can offer more affordable choices.
The primary language spoken in Rome is Italian.
Rome is in Italy.