Rome

Rome

Rome is the capital city of Italy. It is one of the most important places in world history. People often call it the "Eternal City" and the "City of Seven Hills." Rome has been a major center for over 28 centuries.

It was the heart of the ancient Roman Kingdom, Roman Republic, and Roman Empire. These civilizations helped shape Western civilization and Christian culture.

Today, Rome is a lively city with a rich past. It is home to Vatican City, the smallest country in the world. Vatican City is the center of the Catholic Church. The historic center of Rome is a World Heritage Site. Many people visit every year. Rome also helps with international organizations and businesses, making it important for culture, fashion, and design.

Name and symbol

According to the Ancient Romans' founding myth, the name Roma came from the city's founder and first king, Romulus. There are many ideas about where the name Rome comes from. Some think it may be linked to the river Tiber, or from an Etruscan word. Others believe it comes from a Greek word meaning strength.

Rome has had many names throughout history. It was called "Urbs" meaning central city, and identified by the letters SPQR, a symbol of its early government. One emperor, Commodus, briefly renamed it after himself, but it soon returned to being called Rome. Other famous names for Rome include Urbs Aeterna (The Eternal City) and Caput Mundi (The Capital of the world).

History

Main article: History of Rome

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Rome.

Earliest history

Main article: Founding of Rome

People lived in the Rome area as far back as 14,000 years ago. They left behind stone tools, pottery, and weapons. Rome likely started from small villages on hills, especially the Palatine Hill, near where the Roman Forum would later be. By around the middle of the eighth century BC, these villages joined together to form a larger city. The story of Romulus founding Rome after killing his brother Remus is a legend, but it shows how Romans remembered their beginnings.

Monarchy and republic

Main articles: Ancient Rome, Roman Kingdom, and Roman Republic

Rome was first ruled by kings for about 244 years. These kings came from different places. In 509 BC, Romans removed their last king and started a republic, governed by elected leaders called consuls. During this time, Rome fought many wars and grew in power, eventually controlling much of Italy and the Mediterranean area. There were often disagreements between the rich and the common people.

Empire

Main article: Roman Empire

In 27 BC, a man named Octavian became the first emperor, called Augustus. Rome's empire grew very large, reaching from Britain to the Middle East. Emperors like Trajan expanded the empire and built famous structures like the Colosseum. Christianity spread during this time. After about 200 years, the empire had difficult times with leaders fighting and the economy struggling. Emperor Diocletian tried to make things better by dividing the empire. Later, Emperor Constantine made Christianity an accepted religion and moved the capital to Constantinople. Eventually, the Western part of the empire ended in 476 AD when Rome was sacked, but the Eastern part, called the Byzantine Empire, continued.

Middle Ages

Further information: Fall of the Western Roman Empire

After the Western Roman Empire ended in 476 AD, Rome was controlled by different groups, including the Ostrogoths and later the Byzantines. The Pope, the leader of the Catholic Church, became very important in Rome. Over time, Rome was ruled by a mix of the Pope, local nobles, and sometimes kings from other places. In the 1400s, a man named Cola di Rienzo tried to bring back the old Roman Empire but was overthrown. The popes worked to make Rome beautiful again during the Renaissance.

Early modern history

Main article: Roman Renaissance

The Renaissance brought new art and buildings to Rome. Popes hired famous artists like Michelangelo and Raphael to create wonderful works. However, some popes were corrupt. In 1527, soldiers from another country attacked and damaged Rome. Later, the popes focused on fixing the Catholic Church and building more grand structures. By the 1700s, new ideas from the Enlightenment reached Rome, bringing changes to learning and daily life.

Late modern and contemporary

Rome became part of Italy in 1871 when Italian soldiers entered the city. In the 1920s, a leader named Mussolini took control. During World War II, Rome was bombed but not destroyed. After the war, Rome grew quickly and became famous for films made at Cinecittà Studios. The city's population peaked in the 1980s before slowly declining as people moved to the suburbs.

Geography

Rome is in the Lazio region of central Italy along the Tiber River (called Tevere in Italian). The city started on seven hills, including the Palatine Hill and the Capitoline Hill. Today, Rome also has the Aniene River flowing through part of it. Though the city center is inland, parts of Rome reach the Tyrrhenian Sea, with the area of Ostia near the water.

Rome has many parks and gardens. Some famous ones include the Villa Borghese, Villa Ada, and Villa Doria Pamphili. These green spaces give people places to walk and relax. The city also has larger regional parks like the Pineto Regional Park and the Appian Way Regional Park.

Rome has a Mediterranean climate, meaning it has hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Summer temperatures can reach around 31 °C (88 °F) during the day, while winter temperatures are usually about 13 °C (55 °F). Snow is rare but can sometimes happen in winter. The city's average yearly temperature is about 21 °C (70 °F) during the day.

Demographics

People of Rome redirects here. For the ancient Roman political concept, see SPQR. For the 2003 film, see People of Rome (film).

See also: Demographics of Italy

Rome has been a big city for thousands of years. By 550 BC, it was the second largest city in Italy after Taras (modern Taranto) on the Salento Peninsula. Its population was around 35,000 but some think it could have been closer to 100,000.

When the Republic was founded in 509 BC the census recorded a population of 130,000, including the city itself and nearby areas. By 150 BC the population had surpassed 300,000.

The size of Rome at the time of the Emperor Augustus is not known for certain. Estimates vary widely. The population continued to change over the centuries, declining after the Roman Empire but growing again later.

In more recent times, when the Kingdom of Italy annexed Rome in 1870, the city had about 225,000 people. By 1881 the population was 275,000, and it grew to 600,000 by the start of World War I. After World War II the population kept growing, helped by a strong economy and new building.

In mid-2010, there were about 2.75 million residents in the city itself, with around 4.2 million in the larger Rome area. The city has a younger population than Italy as a whole. The average age of a Roman resident is 43. Between 2002 and 2007, Rome's population grew faster than the rest of Italy.

Rome's urban area extends beyond the city limits. About 9.5% of Rome's population is made up of non-Italians, many from other European countries such as Romania, Poland, Ukraine, and Albania, as well as from the Philippines, Bangladesh, and China. The Esquilino neighborhood has become a center for immigrants and is known for its many international restaurants and shops.

Main articles: Roman dialect and Latin

Rome has had a big effect on languages around the world. Through the process of Romanization, many languages in Italy, Gallia, the Iberian Peninsula and Dacia developed from Latin. Even modern English has many words that come from Latin because of the Norman Conquest. The Roman or Latin alphabet is used by many languages around the world.

The medieval Roman dialect was part of the southern group of Italian dialects and was closer to the Neapolitan language than to Florentine. Starting in the 16th century, the Roman dialect was strongly influenced by the Tuscan dialect. Because of this, today's Romanesco dialect has grammar and roots that are different from other dialects in Central Italy.

Main article: Religion in Rome

See also: Vatican City and History of the Jews in Rome

Rome is a major center for Christianity and has been for centuries. Before Christianity, the city practiced the Religio Romana. After St Peter and St Paul were martyred in the city, Rome became a Christian center. The Old St. Peter's Basilica was built in 313 AD. Despite some interruptions, Rome has been the home of the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope.

Rome is also home to an important Jewish community. There are many churches in Rome, including the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, and others. The city also has important religious schools.

Rome has been a major Christian pilgrimage site since the Middle Ages. Many people visit Vatican City, which is within Rome, to see sites connected to the Pope and important Christian history. Rome also has Buddhist temples. According to tradition, Rome was founded by Romulus on 21 April, 753 BC.

Government

See also: Mayor of Rome, City Council of Rome, Elections in Rome, and Administrative subdivisions of Rome

Rome is a special city called "Roma Capitale" and is the largest city in Italy. It is led by a mayor and a city council. The city hall is in the Palazzo Senatorio on the Capitoline Hill. This building has been the city's government center since 1144, making it the oldest city hall in the world.

Since 1972, Rome has been divided into areas called municipi to help with local management. Each municipio has its own president and council chosen by local people every five years. Rome also has historic areas called rioni inside the old city walls.

Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's political center. Important government offices, including those of the President and Prime Minister, and both houses of Parliament, are in Rome. The city also hosts many international groups, including offices of the United Nations and the European Space Agency.

International relations

Rome has special ties with two sovereign states inside its city limits: the Holy See, represented by Vatican City, and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. The Vatican is a small area within Rome and is the spiritual center of the Roman Catholic Church. Rome plays an important role in international affairs. It is home to key United Nations agencies and was where major historical agreements were signed, such as the Treaty of Rome, which helped create the European Union.

Twin towns and sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Italy

Since 1956, Rome has been officially twinned with Paris, France. Rome also has partnerships with many cities around the world, including:

• Paris, France
• Achacachi, Bolivia
• Algiers, Algeria
• Beijing, China
• Belgrade, Serbia
• Brasília, Brazil
• Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Cairo, Egypt
• Cincinnati, United States
• Kyiv, Ukraine
• Kobanî, Syria
• Kraków, Poland
• Madrid, Spain
• Multan, Pakistan
• New Delhi, India
• New York City, United States
• Plovdiv, Bulgaria
• Seoul, South Korea
• Sydney, Australia
• Tirana, Albania
• Tehran, Iran
• Tokyo, Japan
• Tongeren, Belgium
• Tunis, Tunisia
• Washington, D.C., United States
• Yerevan, Armenia

Economy

Main article: Economy of Rome

As the capital of Italy, Rome is home to important national institutions, such as the Presidency of the Republic, the government, the Parliament, and main judicial courts. The city also hosts diplomatic representatives from many countries. International organizations, like the Food and Agriculture Organization and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, have offices in Rome.

Rome is known as a "Beta +" city and was ranked 31st in the Global Cities Index in 2024. The city's economy is strong, with services, high-technology companies, research, construction, and tourism helping it grow faster than other Italian cities. Rome is a major center for banking, insurance, and the movie industry, and it has many important business districts.

Main articles: Tourism in Rome and List of tourist attractions in Rome

Rome is one of the world's top tourist destinations, famous for its ancient ruins, art, and beautiful views. Major attractions include the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums, and many museums, churches, and historic sites. The city attracts millions of visitors each year, making tourism very important to its economy. Rome is also a center for archaeological research and has many important ancient sites, such as the Roman Forum and the Pantheon. The city has a rich history of art and continues to be a place for modern and contemporary art.

Education

Rome is an important city for learning. It has many schools and universities. It was very important for education during Ancient Rome and the Renaissance. One of its oldest universities is La Sapienza, founded in 1303. It has many students.

The city has other universities too, like Tor Vergata and Roma Tre. There are also special schools for subjects like international affairs and design. Rome has important libraries, such as the Vatican Library, which holds many old books and manuscripts.

Culture

Main article: Culture in Rome

Rome is a city known for its beautiful fountains, statues, and old buildings. The city has many fountains in different styles, from simple designs to grand ones. These fountains have given water for thousands of years and made the city's squares lovely.

Rome is also famous for its statues, including special "talking statues" where people leave messages. The city has important obelisks and columns, like the ones in well-known squares, and bridges that cross the Tiber River. Rome has many ancient catacombs, underground places used for burials long ago.

Entertainment and performing arts

Main articles: Music in Rome and Events in Rome

Rome is an important place for music, with famous music schools and theaters. It has hosted big music events like the Eurovision Song Contest and MTV Europe Music Awards. The city has a rich musical history, especially from the 1600s and 1700s.

Between 1960 and 1970, Rome became a center for film, attracting many actors and directors. Via Vittorio Veneto was a popular spot where famous people met.

Fashion

Rome is a world fashion capital. It is the fourth most important place for fashion, after Milan, New York, and Paris. Many famous fashion brands have offices or stores in Rome, especially along the fancy Via dei Condotti.

Cuisine

Main article: Roman cuisine

Rome's food has changed over time, influenced by Greek culture and the empire's growth. During the Renaissance, Rome was known for its fine food, with famous chefs working for the popes. Traditional Roman dishes include oxtail, lamb, and artichokes. Popular foods today include saltimbocca, carciofi alla romana, and spaghetti alla carbonara.

Cinema

Main articles: List of films set in Rome and List of films set in ancient Rome

Rome is home to Cinecittà Studios, the largest film studio in Europe. Founded in 1937, it has been the place for many famous films and welcomes thousands of film workers. It offers all parts of film making in one place.

Sports

Association football is very popular in Rome. The city hosted World Cup finals in 1934 and 1990. Local teams SS Lazio and AS Roma play in the Derby della Capitale. Rome also hosted the 1960 Summer Olympics and has many sports teams in basketball, rugby, tennis, and more.

Transport

Main article: Transport in Rome

Rome is a big place for travel in Italy. It sits in the middle of many roads that spread out like the spokes of a wheel. These roads follow old paths that started at the Capitoline Hill and went to many places long ago.

Today, a big ring road called the Grande Raccordo Anulare, or GRA, goes around the city about 10 km from the center.

Rome has many ways to travel. You can use trains, buses, or planes. The main train station, Termini, is very busy with lots of people each day. Rome has three airports. The biggest one is Leonardo da Vinci International Airport in Fiumicino. The city also has a metro with three lines, and many buses and trams to help people move around.