April 21, 753 BC - The Foundation of Rome – The Myth of Romulus and Remus.
Two brothers named Romulus and Remus born from the Vestal Virgin, Rhea
Sivia, and Mars, the god of war, wanted to establish a new city on the land that
they were born.
After interpreting different signs from the gods, they couldn’t agree on who
should be the founder of this new city, so Romulus killed Remus during their final
fight.
After this, Romulus realized his destiny as the founder and leader of his new city
called Rome and built new settlements on the Palatine Hill.
753 BC – 509 BC – The Royal Age – The Seven Kings of Rome
From this period of time, Rome was a monarchy ruled by a king who held all
powers that included leading the army, enacting laws, administering justice, and
was the religious leader of the people.
However, these kings of Rome were not part of any royal family or lineage and
had no inheritance rights to the throne. Simply, once a king had died, the Senate
would then appoint a new king chosen from a group of nobles and patricians who
could best embody this important role.
The seven kings of Rome during this time were Romulus, Numa Pompilius,
Tullus Hostilius, Ancus Marcius, Tarquinius Priscus, Servius Tullius, Tarquinius
Superbus
509 BC – 27 B.C - The Republican Age
The Republican Age of Italy was founded in 509 B.C after King Tarquinius
Superbus was overthrown as king.
Rome’s wealthiest citizens and Senate created assemblies of Roman citizens to
decide on important matters for the city on behalf of the population.
However, this change created a political power struggle between the two social
orders, the patricians and the plebians
Gaio Giulio Cesare (Julius Cesar 100BC – 44BC)
He is considered one of the most influential and important figures in Italy’s history
because of the key role he played in transitioning the republican form of
government into an imperial form of government.
He was dictator of Rome from 49 B.C until his assassination by a group of
senators in 44 B.C
His lifetime appointment as lifelong dictator shattered the republican tradition of
limited power which led to the downfall of the Republic.
Imperial Age and Octavian Augustus – 27 A.D – 476 A.D
Created after the assassination of Julius Cesar and was first helmed by Octavian
Augustus to help restore the city of Rome and secure its new frontiers.
Octavian Augustus was able to reform laws, created a personal military guard,
reformed army and civil service, and was known as patron of the Arts.
Within his reign and beyond, he ushered in the Pax Romana, which is known as
200-year period of relative peace and stability.
The Colosseum – Built between 72 A.D – 80 A.D
An amphitheater built under the Flavian emperors that was built on the site of the
Hero’s villa Domus Aurea, or Golden House of the previous tyrannical emperor.
It was built on an artificial lake that was the centerpiece of the house, and it had
to be drained in order for construction to start.
This symbolic piece of architecture was called the Colosseum because of the
Colossus of Hero statue, which was an enormous 30-meter-tall bronze statue
that was one of the seven wonders of the world. It used to hold different types of
games, but it is most famous for its gladiator battles.
The Imperial Forum – 46 A.D – 113 A.D
The Roman Forum was an important ancient site situated on the low grounds
between the Palatine and Capitoline Hills that was used for public meetings, law
courts, and some gladiatorial combats.
Under the empire, it primarily became a center for religious and secular
spectacles and ceremonies, and it was the site of many of the city’s most
imposing temples and monuments.
The Pantheon – 118 A.D – 128 A.D
A great circular building of concrete faced with brick with a great concrete dome
rising from the walls and with a front porch of Corinthian columns supporting a
gabled roof with triangular pediment.
It has a circular opening in it roof so the gods would be able to see into the
building and huge bronze double doors, 24 ft high which are the earliest known
examples of this style.
The Pantheon holds the tombs of many important figures of the city, like the
notorious painter Ralphael.
Lorenzo the Magnificent (1449 -1492)
Lorenzo de’ Medici is considered the one of the most perfect embodiments of the
Renaissance Man.
Patron of the Arts, Lorenzo was very passionate about the arts, and he was the
stateman of Florence that was so clever in his strategies the he influenced all of
European Society
He was the talent scout of a young Michelangelo
Piazza Novana – 1650
Designed by the Pope Innocent X, of the papal family Pamphilij, as the site of his
new family residence.
Completed in1650 and located at the southwest of the square, with the church
Sant ’Agnese in Agone to its north, which was completed a couple of decades
later, were designed as a combined effort by Francesco Borromini, his
architectural rival Girolamo Rainaldi, and Rainaldi's son, Carlo.
The Fountain of the Four Rivers – 1651
A great fountain with four colossal figures seated in opposite directions that
represent the four great rivers: The Nile, The Ganges, The Rio De La Plata, and
The Danube,
It was created to celebrate the supremacy of the Papacy over the world and
represented by the four rivers crossing the known continents at the time: Europe,
Asia, Africa, and America.
Trevi’s Fountain – 1732 – 1762
Considered a late Baroque masterpiece and is arguable the best known of the
city’s many fountains, It was designed by Nicola Salvi in 1732and completed by
Giuseppi Pannini in 1762.
This huge fountain stands about 85 feet high and about 160 feet wide and its
center is Pietro Bracci’s statue of Oceanus, who stands atop a chariot pulled by
sea horses accompanied by Tritons. The horses represent the calming and
roughness of water.
Its water come from the ancient aqueduct called Aqua Virgo, considered Rome’s
softest and best tasting water.
Napolean Bonaparte – 1796 – 1814
Declared himself King of Italy in 1804 after taking control of the Kingdom
following years of military command
Reorganized and reformed Italy’s political landscape that included new legal
codes, land redistribution, and secularization but used military force to enforce
them.
Napolean’s rule marked the beginning of Italy’s modern era by instilling
nationalism and reform that was to be followed by other leaders, especially
Benito Mussolini
Altare Della Patria – 1885
Altare Della Patria is named the “Altar of the Fatherland” is one of the most
visually striking buildings in all of Rome.
It was built as a tribute to Victor Emmanual II, the first king of a unified Italy since
the 6th century.
Designed by Guiseppe Sacconi in 1885 as a symbol of national patriotism, the
structure was inspired by Hellenistic sanctuaries, which were altars and shrines
to the ancient gods.
Benito Mussolini (1883 – 1945)
Founded the Fasci de Combattimento which was a nationalist, anti-socialist,
political movement that evolved into the National Fascist Party in 1921
Staged a march on Rome on the government of King Emmanuel III and was
appointed Prime Minister of Italy by the King to avoid civil war.
Mussolini gradually dismantled democratic institutions and established a
dictatorship by the mid 1920’s and created a totalitarian regime that controlled
the press, outlawing opposition parties, and using secret police to suppress
dissent.
After Mussolini’s downfall during WWII, he left Italy economically weakened,
militarily defeated and morally discredited.
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