AncientRome.com

The area now occupied by the city of Rome has been inhabited for tens of thousands of years. According to legend, ancient Rome itself was founded by two twin brothers, Romulus and Remus, who were the sons of Mars, the god of war. Initially one of many city-states on the Italian peninsula, the power and influence of Rome began to grow rapidly in the fifth and fourth centuries BC.

Rome slowly and methodically annexed more and more territory until it controlled an empire from England to the Middle East. After a long period of unrest, the Romans abandoned their republican form of government and accepted the rule of the emperors. Rome’s population reached one million in the time of Julius Caesar. It was not just the political, but also the economic and cultural capital of the western world. The ancient world experienced a phenomenon known as the “Pax Romana,” or “Roman Peace,” an era of prosperity, peace, and trade made possible by the order imposed by the Romans.

The empire of ancient Rome lasted for five centuries, until civil disorder, economic turmoil, and ethnic migrations brought about its collapse. Rome itself became less important to the Empire as the emperors spent more and more time fighting and preparing defenses along the German frontier. Even after the death of its empire, however, the spirit of ancient Rome lived on, forming the basis of the legal systems of European civilization and inspiring its art, architecture, religion, and philosophy.

Rome is now a modern city, with over 2.7 million inhabitants. It is the capital of the modern state of Italy and spiritual center of the Catholic Church. Despite the many changes undergone by the city during the Middle Ages and modern times, many remnants from the ancient period can still be visited. These include the Colosseum, where spectacular gladiator fights and other shows once took place; the Pantheon, a massive church once used as a pagan temple; and the Baths of Caracalla, an ancient health center completed in the early third century AD.

Ancientrome.com allows you to learn more about the fascinating history and culture of ancient Rome. Those looking to visit the city may also search for Roman accommodations to find a place to stay on their trip.