History of Rome

The history of Rome is, to some degree, the history of modern civilisation. At its height, the Roman Empire spanned most of the known world, and although it inevitably faded away, it left us with many of the institutions which still govern our lives today. Through military might, conspiratorial deceit, religious domination and artistic genius, Rome has influenced much of humanity for the last 2,000 years. Although the future contributions of this great city have yet to be seen, its legacy will forever be imprinted on our world.

The Etruscans

Rome began as a small village, peopled by nervous Latin tribes trying to keep out of the control of the Etruscans, who ruled most of Italy around 600 BC. The first Romans prospered from the strategically important location of the village, situated at the Tiber River crossing, where the global salt trade route passed through. Eventually, the Etruscans saw the value of Rome and conquered it, ruling until the Roman revolt in 510 BC. By 250 BC, the Romans had eradicated the Etruscans from Italy.

A republic rises

By 49 BC Italy, with Rome as its capital, ruled the entire Mediterranean region. All political, commercial and cultural roads led directly to Rome and its power soared. This was the time of Julius Caesar, the most dominant figure of the Roman Republic. When Brutus stabbed him to death in the Senate in 44 BC, Marc Antony quickly assumed control of the city, intent on expanding the empire even more; however, when he met Cleopatra at Tarsus in 41 BC, all of that changed.

The Golden Age

Augustus was the first Roman emperor. His reign, from 27 BC to 14 AD, is regarded as the Golden Age of Rome. The emperors who succeeded him took Rome to new heights of power, influence and wealth. When Constantine became emperor in 306 AD, he made some big changes to the Republic. In 330 AD, he made Constantinople the new capital of the empire and he recognised Christianity as its official religion. This clever move kept Rome at the vanguard of humanitys evolution for a while longer, but it also created the beast which would eventually tear the empire apart.

The greatest fall in history

By 395 AD, the Roman Empire had split into conflicting eastern and western sections. The Goths took advantage of this division and began the infamous sackings of Rome, led by Alaric in 410 AD. Attila the Hun may have been dissuaded from making the next attack by Pope Leo I in 452 AD, but the Vandals showed up three years later and razed the city. The great empire lasted only 20 more years until the continual invasions and chaos finally destroyed the city in 476 AD. Rome was then left to the Popes.

The next chapter

The story of Italy from the Renaissance through the Age of Enlightenment is as fascinating as the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. Rome underwent major physical changes between the 15th and 18th centuries, as great churches and palaces were built with the stones of its ancient buildings. The old cultural centres were returned to fields and pastures. The highlight of this era was the art produced by such luminaries as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.

Fascism on the rise

Since the end of the 13th century, Italy had been divided into competitive regional states, each with its own laws and armies. Napoleon made a grab for Italy in 1796, but after his eventual defeat, Rome and the Papal States were returned to the Popes. Mussolini was the next egomaniac to assume control over Italy, but he too was overthrown by his own people in 1945. Modern day Rome remains an important centre of global influence. The unparalleled history of this city still attracts millions of tourists each year, and although Rome isnt the seat of imperial power it once was, the shadows of the Vatican still exert tremendous control.