History of Rome

Rome- Ruins of the Forum, Looking towards the Capitol

Capitoline she-wolf Musei Capitolini MC1181

Tomba Francois - Liberazione di Celio Vibenna

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TempleofCapitoliumRome

Servian Wall-Termini Station

History of Rome encompasses the story of the city from its legendary founding in 753 BC by Romulus and Remus, through its rise as the center of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire, and its transformation into the capital of the Christian world in the 4th century AD. The history of Rome is a tale of political intrigue, military conquests, cultural achievements, and the spread of Christianity, which played a pivotal role in shaping the Western civilization.

Founding and Kingdom

The traditional date for the founding of Rome is April 21, 753 BC. According to legend, the city was founded by Romulus, who became its first king after killing his brother Remus in a dispute. The Roman Kingdom was characterized by the dominance of the Latin tribe and was ruled by a series of seven kings, from Romulus to Tarquin the Proud. This period saw the initial expansion of the city and the establishment of its religious and social institutions.

Roman Republic

The Roman Republic was established in 509 BC, following the overthrow of the last Roman king. The republic was characterized by a complex form of government that included elements of democracy, oligarchy, and monarchy, represented by the elected magistrates, the Senate, and the Roman assemblies. The Republic expanded through a combination of military conquest and political alliances, bringing much of the Mediterranean basin under Roman control. Key events during this period include the Punic Wars with Carthage, the conquest of Gaul by Julius Caesar, and the internal conflicts that led to the end of the Republic.

Roman Empire

The transition from Republic to Empire began with the rise of Julius Caesar and his assassination in 44 BC, followed by the defeat of Marcus Antonius and Cleopatra by Octavian, later known as Augustus, in 31 BC. The Roman Empire at its height encompassed the entire Mediterranean world, including parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. The empire was marked by periods of stability, such as the Pax Romana, and turmoil, including the Crisis of the Third Century. Significant emperors include Augustus, Trajan, Hadrian, and Constantine the Great, who converted to Christianity and moved the capital to Byzantium, later known as Constantinople.

Christianization and the Late Empire

The Edict of Milan in 313 AD, issued by Constantine, granted freedom of worship to Christians, leading to the spread of Christianity throughout the empire. The Council of Nicaea in 325 AD established foundational Christian doctrines. The division of the empire into the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire, or Byzantine Empire, by Theodosius I in 395 AD, along with the sack of Rome by the Visigoths in 410 AD and the Vandals in 455 AD, marked the decline of the Western Empire. The fall of the Western Roman Empire is traditionally dated to 476 AD, when Romulus Augustulus was deposed by the Germanic chieftain Odoacer.

Legacy

The legacy of Rome is immense, influencing the development of the Latin language, Roman law, urban planning, and architecture. The concept of the Roman Catholic Church and the use of Latin as the liturgical language had profound impacts on religious and cultural practices in the Western world. The history of Rome is a cornerstone of Western history and continues to be studied for its contributions to modern governance, law, and culture.