Rome - Echoes of Empire
"All Roads Lead to Rome" was a popular saying during the Empire, and during the five-century span of Roman dominance it was literally true. Master of an empire that stretched deep into the deserts of Persia to the East, into the wilds of North Africa to the South, to the barbarian-filled Scottish borders to the North, and to the Atlantic coast of Iberia in the West, Rome wielded a power unrivaled in ancient times. Modern day Rome contains spectacular vestiges of this imperial past, as well an amazing array of other attractions that make it an important part of any Italian odyssey.
Founded in 776 B.C. by the semi-mythological Romulus and Remus, Rome has for most of its history been an important city, often fought over by rival political factions and nations. A walk through the back streets of Rome will reveal the international flavour of the city, and the legacy of past empires and dynasties. The oldest treasures in the city are not in fact Roman, but Egyptian obelisks that are now scattered throughout the city.
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The wealth and ingenuity of Roman architecture is most spectacularly represented by the Coliseum and the Pantheon. The Coliseum amphitheatre is infamous as the sporting and gladiatorial arena where thousands perished in the elaborate and bloody games held by a succession of Emperors. Today, the Coliseum rises majestically from the Piazza de Colosseo, its tiered seating and huge scale providing the prototype for the modern sporting arena. While much-plundered by the builders of later periods, the Coliseum and its pivotal role in the political and social life of the Romans has continues to fascinate visitors for nearly 2,000 years.
The Pantheon is the best preserved ancient building in Rome. Completed in AD 125 by the Emperor Hadrian, this "Temple Of All The Gods" features an imposing façade that partially obscures the vast hemispherical dome that is seen at its best from the interior of the building. The Pantheon contains the tombs of nineteenth century Italian monarchs and a monument to the Renaissance painter Raphael.
A stones throw from the Coliseum is the Forum - centre of Roman political and commercial life during the height of the Roman Empire. Extensive - if somewhat confusing - remains of temples, palaces, and triumphal arches are echoes of the imperial splendour that once existed here. It was here that Julius Caesar was murdered in 44 BC, Roman laws were passed, rituals were performed, and where Emperors celebrated their triumphs over other nations in succeeding centuries.
Overlooking the Forum from the southwest is the Palantine Hill, once the residential quarter of Emperors and aristocratic families. Now a pleasant, tree-covered hill with jumbled remains of palaces, courtyards, and gardens, the Palantine is a great spot to escape Rome's often blistering temperatures and take stock of this ancient centre of the city.
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More than one thousand years after the collapse of the Roman Empire, the Renaissance again saw Italy lead the Western world, this time in the arts. This fertile period has gifted Rome with an array of impressive piazzas, fountains, monuments, and world-class museums. The Capitoline Hill features paving and facades designed by Michaelangelo, and the museums that occupy the hill are filled with Greek and Roman sculptures and art works by Masters such as Titian and Veronese. To the northeast is the wide open space of the Piazza Navona, dominated by the Fontana dei Fuimi, Bernini's magnificent fountain that depicts the four great rivers of the world. Only the stunning Trevi Fountain (pictured) draws more visitors, many of whom throw in coins and make a wish at this picturesque spot.
Within Rome lies an independent state - The Vatican City. The capital of Roman Catholicism, the Vatican has been the residence of the Pope for hundreds of years. Many are buried in the great Basilica of St. Peter, perhaps the world's most impressive church. The artistic and material wealth of the Vatican is breathtaking - from the frescoes of Michaelangelo in the Sistine Chapel, to the priceless artworks of the Museums.
Off the beaten track are the fascinating Catacombs, a stones throw from the ancient Roman Appian Way. These underground complexes were hacked into the rock in Roman times and were the burial tombs for millions of Christians, including the early Popes. Millions of bones and tombs litter these subterranean cities of the dead.
If Rome's rich history proves too much, the city's inexhaustible supply of cafes, shops, and atmospheric piazzas should restore your enthusiasm. The beautiful Spanish Steps is a great place to rest with a cappuccino or espresso, or perhaps to sample some Frascati, a well-known local wine.
There is such a wealth of sights and areas of interest both within Rome and its surrounding districts that any visit could only hope to scratch the surface. But with a bit of planning, plus plenty of time to relax and enjoy the shops, cuisine, and street-life of this dynamic capital, Rome will yield up her great treasures to the patient traveller.
More Information
Visit the official Rome site or that of the Italian Tourist Board.
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