Page 21 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Rome

INTRODUCING ROME  19
THE HISTORY OF ROME

One of the most ancient cities in Europe, overseas, and by the 1st century BC
Rome was founded over 2,760 years ago. ruled Spain, North Africa, and Greece.
Since then it has been continuously The expansion of the Empire provided
inhabited, and, as the headquarters of the opportunities for power-hungry
Roman Empire and then of the Catholic individuals, and the clashing of egos
Church, it has had an immense impact on led to the collapse of democracy. Julius
the world. Many European languages are Caesar ruled for a time as dictator, and
based on Latin; many political and legal his nephew Octavian became Rome’s
systems follow the ancient Roman model; first emperor, assuming the title Augustus.
and buildings all around the world utilize During the reign of Augustus, Christ was
styles and techniques perfected in ancient born, and though Christians were
Rome. The city itself retains layers of persecuted until the 4th century AD,
buildings spanning over two millennia. the new religion took hold and Rome
Not surprisingly, all this history can seem became its main center.
a little overwhelming. Even though it was the seat of the
Rome began as an Iron-Age hut-village, papacy, during the Middle Ages Rome
founded in the mid-8th century BC. went into decline. The city recovered
In 616 BC, the Romans’ sophisticated spectacularly in the mid-15th century, and
Etruscan neighbors seized power, but for over 200 years was embellished by the

were ousted in 509 BC, when Rome greatest artists of the Renaissance and
became a Republic. It conquered most of the Baroque. Finally, in 1870, Rome became
the rest of Italy, then turned its attentions the capital of the newly unified Italy.

15th-century map of Rome
from the north
Detail from 2nd-century AD Roman mosaic from the Temple of Fortuna in Palestrina

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