Rome

Lore & Background

Rome's history spans 28 centuries. While Roman mythology dates the founding of Rome at around 753 BC, the site has been inhabited for much longer, making it a major human settlement for over three millennia and one of the oldest continuously occupied cities in Europe. The city's early population originated from a mix of Latins, Etruscans, and Sabines. Eventually, the city successively became the capital of the Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire, and is regarded by many as the first-ever Imperial city and metropolis. It was first called The Eternal City by the Roman poet Tibullus in the 1st century BC, and the expression was also taken up by Ovid, Virgil, and Livy. Rome is also called Caput Mundi (Capital of the World). After the fall of the Empire in the west, which marked the beginning of the Middle Ages, Rome slowly fell under the political control of the Papacy, and in the 8th century, it became the capital of the Papal States, which lasted until 1870. Beginning with the Renaissance, almost all popes since Nicholas V (1447–1455) pursued a coherent architectural and urban programme over four hundred years, aimed at making the city the artistic and cultural centre of the world. In this way, Rome first became one of the major centres of the Renaissance and subsequently the birthplace of both the Baroque style and Neoclassicism. In 1871, Rome became the capital of the Kingdom of Italy, which, in 1946, became the Italian Republic. It hosted the Summer Olympics in 1960.

In Their Own Story

The sun dipped low over the Tiber River, casting long shadows across the cobblestones of Trastevere. An old man sat on a stone bench, watching tourists photograph the ivy-covered walls nearby. He sipped his espresso slowly, listening to the distant hum of scooters mix with the chatter in Italian. For him, the Colosseum was not just a ruin; it was the backdrop of childhood games and evening walks. The city breathed around him, ancient and new, timeless and fleeting all at once.

Reader's Guide

In 2019, Rome was the 14th most visited city in the world with 8.6 million tourists, the third most visited city in the European Union, and the most popular tourist destination in Italy. Its historic centre is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Rome is also the seat of several specialised agencies of the United Nations, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Food Programme, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development. The city also hosts the Secretariat of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean, as well as the headquarters of several Italian multinational companies such as Eni, Enel, TIM, Leonardo, and banks such as BNL. Numerous companies are based within Rome's EUR business district, such as the luxury fashion house Fendi located in the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana. The presence of renowned international brands in the city has made Rome an important centre of fashion and design, and the Cinecittà Studios have been the set of many Academy Award–winning movies.

Did You Know?

• According to the Ancient Romans' founding myth, the name Roma came from the city's founder and first king, Romulus.
• Rome has been called Urbs Aeterna (The Eternal City), Caput Mundi (The Capital of the world), Throne of St. Peter and Roma Capitale.
• Archaeological evidence of human occupation of the Rome area has been found from approximately 14,000 years ago.
• Rome is the only existing example of a country within a city, as Vatican City is an independent country within Rome's municipal boundaries.

Geography and Unique Status

Rome stands as the capital and most populous municipality of Italy, serving as the administrative heart of both the Lazio region and its own metropolitan city. The broader metropolitan area expands this figure to 4.2 million people, securing its position as Italy's most populous metro region. Situated in the central-western Italian Peninsula along the Tiber Valley, the city is famously known as the 'City of Seven Hills' due to its distinctive topography. Uniquely, Rome contains an independent sovereign nation within its boundaries: Vatican City. As the smallest country globally and the headquarters of the worldwide Catholic Church under the Holy See, this enclave represents the only existing example of a state entirely contained within another city's limits.

Historical Evolution and Imperial Legacy

With a history spanning nearly twenty-eight centuries, Rome is recognized as one of Europe's oldest continuously occupied cities. The city successively served as the capital for the Roman Kingdom, Republic, and Empire, earning its reputation as the world's first imperial city. Ancient poets like Tibullus famously dubbed it 'Urbs Aeterna' or the Eternal City, a title later adopted by Virgil and Ovid to reflect its enduring significance. Following the collapse of the Western Empire, Rome transitioned into the political domain of the Papacy, becoming the capital of the Papal States in the 8th century.

Cultural Renaissance and Artistic Influence

From the Renaissance onward, Rome transformed into a global epicenter for art and architecture under the guidance of successive popes who pursued ambitious urban programs. Beginning with Nicholas V in the mid-15th century, these leaders aimed to establish the city as the world's cultural capital over four centuries. This era saw Rome emerge not only as a major Renaissance hub but also as the birthplace of both the Baroque style and Neoclassicism. Renowned painters, sculptors, and architects flocked to the city, creating masterpieces that defined Western Christian culture and cemented its status as a cradle of civilization. The city's artistic legacy continues today through institutions like Cinecittà Studios, which have hosted numerous Academy Award-winning film productions. Furthermore, Rome has evolved into a significant center for fashion and design, hosting international brands and luxury houses such as Fendi within its EUR business district, blending ancient heritage with modern creative industries.

Modern Global Significance and Tourism

In the contemporary era, Rome remains a pivotal global destination, ranking as the third most visited city in the European Union and attracting over 8.6 million tourists annually. Its historic center is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, drawing visitors from around the globe to experience its millennia of history. Beyond tourism, the city functions as an important international diplomatic hub, hosting specialized United Nations agencies including the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Food Programme, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development. It also houses the Secretariat of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean. Economically, Rome serves as the headquarters for major Italian multinational corporations such as Eni, Enel, TIM, and Leonardo, alongside key financial institutions like BNL. This blend of international governance, corporate presence, and cultural allure ensures Rome maintains its ancient title as 'Caput Mundi' or Capital of the World in a modern context.