History of Rome Explained | From the Roman Empire to the Eternal City

Have you ever wondered why so many people call Rome the eternal city? Does it have something to do with their never-ending pile of laundry? Not quite, but there's more to the name than meets the eye. Welcome to my channel. And today we're headed to the Italian capital, Rome. Get ready to explore one of the most historic cities on earth. Established in the 8th century BC, Rome is almost 3,000 years old. To put that into perspective, that's older than Greece, Egypt, India, China, and pretty much any other major city. There are several competing theories on how and why Rome was founded, but the most popular story involves twin brothers Romulus and Remus, Shavolf's parents, and a kingdom named after one of those twin brothers, Romulus. Legend has it that Romulus killed Remus after the two disagreed about where to build their new city. After slaying his brother, Romulus went on to become the first king of Rome and established it as a monarchy ruled by kings of the royal house of Alba. This lasted from around 753 BC until 509 BC when the Romans overthrew King Tarquinius Superbus, ending the rule of the kings and establishing Rome as a republic. And though ancient Rome did eventually fall, the city itself survived, which is why it earned the nickname eternal city. That may be why some people think that Rome is the center of the universe, or at least the Italian peninsula. In fact, ancient Romans thought this too. Their empire stretched from Britain to Egypt, North Africa to Iran, but they considered Rome the center of everything, even thought they were the center of the world. Ancient Rome divided the world into one part, which was Rome and the rest of the world. If someone wasn't Roman, they were barbarian. You know, just like the rest of us. In medieval times, the city fell under the control of popes, and it became one of the most important religious centers of Europe. Today, the city is home to about 2.8 million people. And like many large cities, Rome has its share of problems like poverty, crime, traffic, and pollution. But none of that keeps people away. In fact, every year, more than 4 million tourists visit Rome to see its incredible landmarks. So grab your laptop and get ready to take a virtual field trip to Rome. First stop, the Colosseum. The Colosseum is arguably the most famous landmark in Rome and one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. Construction began in 70 AD under the Flavian dynasty. The emperor Vespasian wanted to erect a huge amphitheater to entertain the masses. This included free gladiator fights, animal hunts, executions, and reenactments of famous battles. These public events were very popular in ancient Rome. They weren't just a way to pass the time, they were a way of life. Citizens would attend these shows daily before work, during their lunch break, and after dinner. It was a great way for them to relax and enjoy themselves after a hard day's work. But don't worry, it wasn't all blood and guts. The Colosseum also hosted athletic competitions, mock sea battles, and theatrical performances. The amphitheater could hold up to 80,000 spectators. And if you were one of those lucky few who got to watch the games from the box, you had a great view of the whole arena. Next, let's head over to the Pantheon. The Pantheon is another iconic Roman landmark. It was built in 126 AD by the Roman emperor Hadrian. Originally, the building was dedicated to all the gods of the Roman Empire. But in 609 AD, it was converted into a church and renamed Santa Maria AD Martyrs. The Pantheon S Dome is the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world and is a masterpiece of Roman engineering. The dome is 142 feet in diameter and 36 feet thick. It is decorated with frescoes and contains a circular opening at the top called the oculus. The oculus acts as a natural skylight and provides the only source of natural light for the interior of the building. When the sun shines through the oculus, it creates a beautiful play of light and shadow on the floor. This effect is especially beautiful during the equinoxes when the sun is directly overhead and the light is at its brightest. During heavy rain, the water flows through a series of 22 well-hidden holes around the edge of the oculus and drains away unnoticed. The Pantheon is a popular tourist destination and is also used for special events such as concerts and art exhibitions. Now let's go back in time and visit the Roman Forum. The Roman Forum is the oldest and most important public space in Rome. It is surrounded by the ruins of government buildings, temples, and other public structures. The Forum was the center of public life in ancient Rome and was used for everything from political debates to religious ceremonies to legal trials. The Forum is also the site of many important archaeological finds including the famous bronze statue of a chariot driver known as the Quadriga. One of the most important features of the Forum is the Temple of Saturn. The temple was built in 499 BC and was dedicated to the Roman god of agriculture and wealth. It was the first temple built in Rome and is considered to be the birthplace of the city. Another important structure in the Forum is the Basilica Julia, which was a large rectangular building used for courts and government offices. The Basilica was destroyed by fire in 10 AD, but it was later rebuilt by the Emperor Augustus. The Basilica was again destroyed, this time by an earthquake in 1349. All that remains of it today are a few foundations and a small section of its facade. But Rome is not just about ancient ruins. It is also home to some beautiful churches. One of the most important churches in Rome is Saint Peter's Basilica. It is the largest church in the world and is the seat of the Pope. Construction of the Basilica began in 1606 and was completed in 1626. It took over 100 years to build and was designed by some of the most famous architects in history, including Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, and Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The Basilica is dedicated to Saint Peter, one of Jesus' twelve apostles. According to tradition, Peter was crucified upside down on a cross in Rome. During the reign of Emperor Nero, his tomb is located beneath the high altar of Saint Peter's Basilica. The Basilica is also the burial place of many popes and other important figures in the Catholic Church. It is a former Roman temple that was converted into a church in 609 AD. If you want to learn more about art, check out some of the best museums in the world. Rome is home to three of the best museums in the world. The Vatican Museums contain a collection of over 20,000 works of art, including some of the most famous paintings in history. The Sistine Chapel is one of the most popular attractions in the Vatican Museums. It was painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512. The chapel contains some of the most famous frescoes in the world, including the Creation of Adam, one of the most recognizable images in Western art. The Borghese Gallery is another world-class museum in Rome. It contains a collection of sculptures, paintings, and other works of art from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The gallery is housed in the Villa Borghese, a former royal palace that is now a public park. The Capitoline Museums contain a collection of ancient Roman sculptures, paintings, and other artifacts. It is one of the oldest public museums in the world and is considered to be the birthplace of classical archaeology. It might be easy to dismiss Rome as just another European city, but anyone who has ever visited can tell you that Rome is unlike any other city in the world. It is a city of history, culture, and art. It is a city that will make you feel like you have stepped back in time. So if you're planning a trip to Europe, be sure to include Rome on your list. You won't regret it. Well, that's all for today's Rome lesson here on Easy Peasy All-in-One. If you enjoyed this video, be sure to subscribe and click the notification bell so you never miss an exciting episode. And as always, if you want to help keep this channel going, please consider making a donation. Thanks for watching.