Rome, Italy The Most Powerful Empire in the World

Rome is the capital city of Italy and a special comune. It is also the capital of the Lazio region and the center of the Metropolitan City of Rome. Rome is located in the central-western part of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within Lazio. Rome’s history spans more than two and a half thousand years, while its civilization has been influential to later Western civilization.

A Brief History of Rome

Rome was founded in 753 BC by brothers Romulus and Remus. It grew to become one of the largest empires in history. The Roman Empire was characterized by a strong central government, a well-developed system of law and order, and impressive engineering feats such as the construction of roads, bridges, and aqueducts. Rome fell in 476 AD but its legacy continues to influence the world today.

The Geography of Rome

Rome is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, within Lazio (Latium), along the shores of the Tiber. Vatican City (the smallest sovereign state in the world) is an enclave within Rome. The city’s metropolitan area is about 4,963 square kilometers (1,913 square miles). Rome has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm summers. The Apennines and Alps mountain ranges protect Rome from invaders.

The Climate of Rome

Generally, Rome and its metropolitan area have a Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification: Csa), with mild winters and warm to hot summers. In Rome, the summers are short, hot, humid, dry, and mostly clear and the winters are long, cold, wet, and partly cloudy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 35°F to 86°F and is rarely below 28°F or above 93°F.

Getting Around Rome

Rome’s public transportation is operated by ATAC (Azienda Tramvie e Autobus del Comune di Roma). The ATAC system includes the metro, buses, trams, and suburban trains. You can purchase a ticket or card that allows you to use all of these methods of transportation. The best way to get around Rome is on foot. And because many of the best attractions are clustered together in traffic-free zones, walking makes the most sense. If you need to take a taxi, official taxis operate with a meter. You can also take advantage of Rome’s night buses. The main stations that Rome’s night buses run from are Piazza Venezia, Largo Argentina, and Termini Station.

What to See in Rome

There are many must-see attractions in Rome, Italy. One of the most popular tourist destinations is the Colosseum. The Colosseum is a large amphitheater that was built in the first century AD. It is one of the most well-preserved ancient Roman buildings and is a symbol of Rome’s power and grandeur. Other popular attractions include the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. These sights are all located within Vatican City, which is its own country located within Rome.

The Vatican City

Generally, Vatican City is an independent city-state located within Rome in Italy. The Vatican is governed by the Holy See and is an ecclesiastical or sacerdotal-monarchical state ruled by the Bishop — the Pope. Vatican City State is the smallest state in the world with an area of just 44 hectares (110 acres), and a population of around 1,000 people. Furthermore, the state has its own legal system, postal system, flag, and anthem, and issues its own coins and stamps.

The Colosseum

The Colosseum is a large amphitheater that was built during the reign of the Flavian emperors. Generally, the massive arena held thousands of spectators and was used for gladiator fights, executions, and animal hunts. Furthermore, the name Colosseum is believed to derive from the amphitheater’s proximity to a statue of Nero known as the Colossus of Nero.

St. Peter’s Basilica

Generally, Rome St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the four churches in the world that hold the rank of Major papal basilica. However, it is also one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches. Similarly, The basilica was built according to tradition above the burial site of St. Peter, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus and the first Bishop. The original Saint Peter’s Basilica, a building of a dimension comparable to the current one, was erected around 320 by the emperor Constantine.

Conclusion

Finally, Rome became one of the most powerful empires in the world by the first century BCE. Through military power, political acumen, and economic growth. However, it was able to maintain its empire for centuries. Even after the fall of the western empire, Rome’s influence can still be seen in art, architecture, and culture.

Originally published at https://travelersitalian.com on November 26, 2022.