Rome wasn’t built overnight; and neither was its epic history. It tells the tale of how a small village became one of the greatest empires on Earth.
Romans were well known to display a more wild side than most cultures; their sexual appetite for women was especially notorious – legalization allowed for multiple mistresses per husband!
Founded by Romulus and Remus in 753 BC
Rome’s origin story (or more accurately, its founding legend) is both entertaining and educational, reflecting both factual details and mythical elements that together contribute to creating its official founding legend. Like all city histories, however, its development still impacts how we understand Roman history today.
According to legend, Rome was founded in 753 BC by twin brothers Romulus and Remus, who inherited their mother Rhea Silvia as part of their parentage from Aeneas and Ascanius respectively. She was forced by her usurper brother Amulius into vowing chastity so as not to challenge his reign over Alba Longa; but Mars – Roman God of War – impregnated Rhea and gave birth to twin boys: Romulus and Remus.
Amulius imprisoned three infants and ordered their death. However, a servant intervened and put them into a basket on the River Tiber which floated downriver until it arrived near Rome and was fed by she-wolves until it was discovered by Faustulus and his wife.
At age 19, they became leaders of a band of warriors that helped overthrow Amulius and restore their grandfather to Alba Longa’s throne. Additionally, they founded Rome in this same riverbank where their basket had washed ashore; here was believed to have been where she-wolf suckled them and raised them as infants.
Romulus and Remus’ story of Rome’s foundation by Romulus and Remus is one of several ancient myths thought to form its founding heritage, known as exempla. Such stories served as examples for future generations to follow and serve to guide political and social life of its citizens; Romulus and Remus’ legend was meant to emphasize both strong military power as well as democratic government led by an elected council of senators.
It’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Rome is one of the world’s most fascinating ancient cities and one of the key urban centres in Europe, making it a global center for politics, business, culture and religion. Rome was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its cultural and historical significance.
The city boasts an extensive and complex history dating back centuries, serving as home for several different civilizations throughout its existence. At various points it has served as a republic, empire and Christian city; historically known as Urbs Aeterna or Caput Mundi – in modern terms serving as the seat of Catholicism.
At the height of Roman Republic rule, Rome was known for its wealth and grandeur, boasting numerous palaces, temples, and an army. Trading relationships between other countries (notably Greece) enabled Rome to develop as a society by learning new cultures and languages.
After the fall of the Roman Republic, Rome fell into chaos and instability. A series of 22 emperors took power – some were murdered by their own soldiers while their golden age ended with Commodus’ incompetent and decadent rule before his death sparked yet more civil unrest before Lucius Septimius Severus ended it once and for all.
The Roman Empire was an influential global power, having an immense effect on Western civilisation’s development. They adopted ideas from other cultures into their own and produced significant achievements such as art, philosophy, literature, music and mathematics – not to mention Egypt and India! The empire also spread its influence further afield by spreading to these regions as well.
Today, Rome is an internationally recognized center of business, finance and culture that sits atop the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. Additionally, La Sapienza University stands as Italy’s premiere education facility.
It’s the largest city in the world
Rome was one of the largest cities in the world during the height of Roman rule, expanding across Europe, Africa and Asia under its rulers’ expansionist policies. Roman history is full of wars and power struggles between its rulers. Not only was this civilization notable in size terms; their mastery at engineering, politics and culture left an indelible imprint on subsequent cultures worldwide.
Romans created modern cities by building highways and roads connecting 113 provinces of their empire. Additionally, they invented concrete, which allowed large roofed structures without forests of pillars to be created without using forests of columns as support structures. They could transport water across vast distances using aqueducts which enabled them to both grow food as well as pursue arts and sports activities.
Ancient Romans not only built the Colosseum, but they also pioneered one of the most exciting forms of entertainment – gladiator fights! Held at an arena called Circo Maximo that could accommodate up to 250,000 spectators, these fights could often turn violent; some gladiators even died due to drowning or attacks from wild animals!
Although these fights could be extremely brutal, they were still hugely popular with Roman audiences. Additionally, theatre and animal hunts provided additional forms of entertainment, while they pioneered bath time as an essential aspect of daily life; spa may have come from Sana Per Aquam (health through water) – something they took very seriously; building aqueducts to bring clean water into cities to bring more regular bathing experiences to all Roman citizens.
Ancient Romans were also among the first societies to introduce welfare programs, providing free grain to their citizens. At such an advanced level for their time period, their social benefits contributed greatly to them becoming a world superpower.
It’s the birthplace of Christianity
Rome was the birthplace of Christianity. Here, Jesus lived, was crucified and then rose again – his story told through Scriptures and early Christian writings – an unforgettable lesson which all Christians should keep in mind today.
Rome was also the birthplace of concrete, which is made from cement mixed with aggregates such as rock or gravel, used today for modern buildings. Romans also invented numerous groundbreaking inventions like calendar, cuneiform writing system, and distance measurement techniques that are still widely used today.
Roman legions consisted of 3,000 infantry soldiers and 300 cavalry. At the head of this chain of command was Emperor Augustus; followed by generals and then officers.
Romans didn’t invent many of the ideas we associate with Christianity, but they certainly helped shape its ideas and beliefs. By adapting this religion to suit their needs and using it to maintain control of population while maintaining political supremacy over world, Christianity became part of Roman society and eventually Christianity itself was developed worldwide.
Romans were also among the first to use concrete, an inexpensive material made up of lime, water and volcanic ash that has many uses including foundations and pavements. Additionally, this early use of this substance led to landmarks such as the Colosseum and Forum that still attract tourists today despite having seen many grisly events take place there in its past; while an ancient amphitheatre called for pagan entertainment and was described by Charles Dickens as “a ruin that Christianity has preserved”.
Roman society was dominated by men, and women were defined by their relationship with their father or husband and his social standing. If they spoke back against either, they risked expulsion from their house or being sold into slavery.
There was also an elaborate network of wet nurses and pedagogues who provided care for orphans and found babies, typically slaves themselves who served as role models to the children in their care. Christianity may have helped alter Roman attitudes toward enslaved people over time.