Rome, Italy
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Ancient Rome
Settlement in the area surrounding the dates back as far as 14,000 years ago, though evidence of urban development does not appear till much later, around the eighth century B.C. It is believed that around this time, a number of smaller villages collectively merged together around the locus of the , with the productivity gains from organised agriculture allowing for the expansion of activities away from subsistence farming, to other activities. The founding of Rome in legend, however, follows a different story. This version harkens back to a story of two mythical brothers, Romulus and Remus. In , these two brothers were the sons of Mars, the god of war. Left on the banks of the Tiber river after their birth, the two brothers were raised by a she-wolf in her lair or ‘Lupercal’ just beneath the . As they grew they both became natural leaders, and decided to found a of their own. Romulus chose the Palatine as the site of the , while Remus chose the Aventine hill nearby, in the ensuing dispute Romulus killed his brother and the was founded in place.
From around the eighth century B.C till roughly the 5th century A.D, this period marked the ascendancy of Rome as the heart of a classical superpower. The itself grew to a size of about 1.2 million inhabitants during its peak in the second century A.D, the largest in the world at the time, and a figure which would not be surpassed until London in the 19th century. It is during this time that some of the landmarks still visible in Rome today were constructed, such as the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the , Trajan’s column, and the Circus Maximus.
For a more in depth account , take a look at some of Odyssey’s other articles on this topic:
Early Modern Rome
Following the decline of the Western Empire, the of Rome was devastated by a series of sackings. With the population standing at only 30,000 in the mid 6th century A.D, devastated by the Gothic War. Despite being reclaimed by the Eastern , or Byzantine Empire in the subsequent centuries, and recovering to a degree, from this period onwards the power of Rome rested increasingly in the hands of the Bishop of Rome, later coming to be known as the Pope. The power of the papacy continued to grow, and from the 8th century onwards the of Rome rested in the hands of the Papal States, who would come to define the geography of the for the next millennia.
The early modern period was one in which the of Rome was famous for its most extravagant wealth, and marked the apogee of power for the Papal States. During this time, the church was notorious for its flagrant excesses, with numerous popes and cardinals fathering children, as well as engaging in bribery and nepotism; this in turn was one of the reasons for the growth of the reformation movement which would come to sweep across Europe in the ensuing centuries. Despite this period’s shortcomings, it was also at this point that the Italian Renaissance was most prevalent in Rome, with the patronage of architects, and artists defining the new face of the . During this time the new was constructed, curiously using much of the marble of the Colosseum in its construction, and artists such as Michelangelo, Raphael, and Botticelli created timeless works of art; such as the Pietà, the Birth of Venus, or the frescoes upon the newly constructed Sistine Chapel.
Late Modern to Present History
As the 18th century came to a close, the power of the Papacy was greatly diminished. New ideals such as Republicanism, Nationalism, and the Enlightenment were changing the face of Europe, and Rome with it. The first incidence of this clash came in 1798 with Napoleon taking the and establishing for a brief time a succession of client states between 1798 and 1814. Although the Papal States were reinstated following Napoleon’s defeat, the ideas spawned by the French Revolution would ultimately spell the end for Rome’s time under the Papal States. As revolutions swept across Europe in 1848, Italian nationalists, led by figures such as Giuseppe Mazzini, and Giuseppe Garibaldi, proclaimed a new Republic after taking the . Although French troops later recaptured the for the Papal States, their departure following the outbreak of the 1870 Franco-Prussian war marked the final end of Rome’s time under the Papacy, which was formalised as capital of the Kingdom of in 1871.
The Kingdom of persisted until the year 1926, with fascist dictator Benito Mussolini dissolving democratic institutions and declaring an Italian Empire, it is interesting to note that it is not until this period that Rome’s population once again reached the levels seen during the classical era, some 1700 years prior. During Mussolini’s dictatorship Rome’s architecture was reshaped once more, with wide swathes of the remodelled into wider and more open spaces, valorising the glories past of . One notable landmark from this period is the Victor Emmanuel II monument. Commissioned in 1885, and completed in 1935, it lies as the centrepiece of the , and venerates the Italian unification under its first king. Following the defeat of European fascism in 1945, was reorganised into the Italian Republic, which persists until this day.
Highlights
Rome’s long and storied history makes for an unforgettable experience, with each of Rome’s uncountable landmarks and buildings steeped in the rich heritage of thousands of years. To this end, one of the best ways to experience what Rome has to offer is through a . Odyssey specialises in this kind of , offering an engaging and intimate that highlights what the has to offer. Whether in a , or just enjoying a around the stopping for occasional coffee or , these are some of attractions you won’t want to miss.
& the
is the largest, and one of the most important churches in all of Christendom. Standing at the heart of the tiny nation of Vatican , the is a famous world heritage site, covering an area of over 15,000 square meters (21,000 including grounds). The features an iconic dome designed by successive architects, including Michelangelo, and remains one of the largest in the world today. Today’s is built over the site of an older one, constructed in the fourth century by the Emperor Constantine. This church fell into disrepair during the period of the Avignon papacy, and was later reconstructed as the edifice we know today during the 16th century. The church itself is said the be built upon the site of the tomb of St Peter, one of Jesus’ leading apostles, who was martyred by Emperor Nero during his reign over the Empire. The is one of the most visited sites in all of Rome, and the great in front of the regularly draws tens of thousands for the Pope’s liturgies.
Tip: for a magical view of , make your way to the Cavalieri Di Malta on Aventine Hill and take a peek through the keyhole.
Alongside the is another of the Vatican’s main attractions, namely the . No is complete without exploring its museums, which houses a collection of treasures and art numbering over 70,000, and dating back several millennia. The is the third most visited in the world, with almost 7 million visitors annually, and housing artwork from eminent artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Caravaggio, Titian and more. At the end of a , you’ll also have a chance to see the iconic Sistine Chapel, which is used today as the site of the Papal enclave, and features famous frescoes such as ‘The Creation of Adam’, ‘The Last Judgement’, and many more.
The Colosseum
No is complete without seeing Rome’s . As one of Rome’s most identifiable landmarks, a is a visible reminder of the sheer scale of the massive empire that once called the its home. Built in the first century AD by the Emperor Vespasian, and his successor Titus, the Colosseum was a massive arena used for spectacles such as gladiatorial combat, staged hunts, dramatic theatre, and battle re-enactments. Interestingly enough, the Colosseum’s name is not derived from the edifice itself, which was originally called the ‘Flavian Amphitheatre’, but for a now missing statue called the ‘Colossus of Nero’, which once stood nearby it. In later years the Colosseum would be used for numerous other functions, such as marketplaces, housing, or as a home for religious orders. It was also famously used as a makeshift quarry in the 16th century, with the Colosseum’s stone being used in the construction of . The Colosseum’s construction was amazingly complex for its time, with a vast labyrinth of tunnels and mechanisms in the allowing for incredible feats such as controlled flooding to allow for re-enactment of naval battles, known as ‘Naumachia’. Today’s Colosseum has undergone extensive renovation and restoration works, with the latest stage being finished in 2017, with each ongoing stage opening up new areas to the public.
The Pantheon
Originally built between the first centuries BC and AD during the reign of Caesar, and later rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian in the following century, the Pantheon is arguably the most well preserved and enduring structure dating back to the time of the Empire. The original purpose of the Pantheon is unknown, though it is thought most likely to be a temple, it was subsequently converted into a church in the 7th century, coming to be known as the church of ‘St Mary and the Matyrs’. The Pantheon features an enormous dome ceiling, with a circular hole for light at its centre, this colossal dome remained the largest in the world for 1300 years, and is still the largest unsupported dome in existence with a diameter of roughly 43 meters. The Pantheon is also the resting place for a number of historical figures, such as members of the Italian monarchy, and the famous renaissance painter Raphael. The survival of the Pantheon to this day is a fortunate anomaly when compared with many other famous structures and monuments from the era, with its conversion to a church likely playing a major role in its preservation throughout the ensuing ages. Today, the Pantheon can be seen in , being open for tourists to through at their leisure, and is an ideal stop on any .
Located on the Princian hill, the is an art gallery surrounded by large gardens, once the property of 17th Century Italian Cardinal Scipione Borghese. Scipione was an avid patron of the arts, featuring a collection full of renaissance greats, with a particular emphasis of the works of Caravaggio. The collection features a number of Caravaggio’s greatest works, including ‘Saint Jerome Writing’, ‘Boy with a Basket of Fruit’, and ‘St John the Baptist’. The collection also houses a number of works by artists like Titian and Raphael, as well as sculptures from Bernini and Canova, and is one of the highlights of any to Rome. The is among one of the most beautiful ways to spend an afternoon in Rome; with entrances located near the del Popolo, or near the top of the . On your way to the gallery, be sure to take some time to explore the gardens. Converted from a vineyard in the 17th century, and later remodelled in the 19th, they are among the ‘s most stunning sights, and a fantastic part of any .
Situated between the Palatine, and Capitoline Hills, the was at the heart of life throughout the time of the Republic, with the ‘Comitium’ area in particular being the birthplace of Republicanism itself. During the era of the Republic, the forum was the locus of both political and commercial life, with public speaking and criminal proceedings taking place here, as well as open air markets and shops dotting its way. Some of Rome’s most buildings can be found around this area, dating back to the pre-republican era of the kings around the 7th century BC. Following Rome’s turn to empire, the forum became more of a ceremonial site, characterised more by temples, as the centre of commercial life shifted to Trajan’s forum further to the north. Eventually the locus of political power shifted back to the forum around the 4th century AD, where it remained until the collapse of the Western Empire a couple of centuries later. The site of the suffered the depredation of scavenging, mining, and dumping throughout the ensuing years, with most of the buildings slowly falling away from these activities. The use of the site as a dumping ground contributed to a rising ground levels throughout the middle ages, while the scavenging of material for construction projects during the renaissance left what remained of the forum looking sparse and bare. Despite this, the site of the is still a must see, making an easy stop on a of , with the façade of the Temple of Saturn in particular marking out what once stood as the political heart of the Republic.
The is another of Rome’s most recognisable landmarks, and is one of the most famous fountains in the world, often noted for its appearance in classic films such as ‘ Holiday‘ or ‘La Dolce Vita’. Originally, fountains such as the were used in a purely functional capacity, being used by the families of the as a supply of fresh drinking water, in Rome’s case often transported via aqueduct. The was commissioned in the early 17th century by Pope Urban VIII, and began construction with famous architect Bernini, who was famed at the time for his works of sculpture. Despite Bernini beginning the work, it was a collection of four other artists who would design the sculptures, with Pietro Bracci’s ‘Oceanus’ standing at the centre. It is part of tradition that a sip of water from the will ensure a return trip to Rome, and that tossing a coin inside will ensure the trip is a safe one. In line with this tradition, you can find clean water for sale by the side of the fountain, and feel free to toss a coin inside, around 3,000 euros every day are collected for local charity.
Constructed in the 18th century from funds bequeathed by French diplomat Étienne Gueffier, the connect the Trinità dei Monti Church, and the Spanish Embassy at the top with the Holy see in the square below. The lie in the centre of the di Spagna, or ‘Spanish Place’, named for the presence of the Spanish Embassy at the top of the stairs; it is from this that the derive their name. The stairs are a popular meeting place in Rome, and were made further popular after the film ‘ Holiday‘, where Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck meet by chance at the . Depending on which season you find yourself in Rome, the steps may even have seasonal decoration, in Spring the steps are decorated with pink azaleas for a month, while around Christmas, a 19th century crib is displayed at the base of the stairs.
