Rome

the capital of Italy. The most celebrated city in the world. It is situated on both banks of the Tiber, about fifteen miles from the Mediterranean. It was built originally on seven hills and their connecting valleys. These hills are known in history as the Capitoline, Palatine, Aventine, Caelian, Viminal, Esquiline, and Quirinal. The actual origin of the city is lost in antiquity. According to tradition it was founded by Romulus, 753 B. C. According to the same authority the government was monarchial up to 509, when a republic was established. An imperial form of government was established 27 B. C. The history of the first centuries of the republic are also matters of conjecture. During the fifth and fourth centuries B. C. Rome was engaged in struggles with surrounding tribes, notably the Volscians, Etruscans, and Samnites, the result of which was the final Roman domination of all Italy. The history of Rome was one of western expansion up to the reign of Trajan, 98-117 A. D. The empire was then at its greatest extent. It included the civilized world, embracing not only Italy, but southern Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia. At this period the population of the city itself is variously estimated at from 1,500,000 to 2,500,000 people. Christianity became the official religion of the empire about 323 A. D. The capital was transferred from Rome to Constantinople in 330. The Roman world was divided into the eastern and western empire in 395. The capital of the western empire was removed from Rome to Ravenna in 402. The western empire suffered attacks from the Franks, Vandals, Burgundians, Angles, and Saxons. It was attacked by the Goths under Alaric in 408; by the Vandals in 455. The western Roman empire may be said to have come to an end in 476.

From a description of the city written about A. D. 312 we know that Rome had 6 obelisks, 8 bridges, 11 baths, 856 bathrooms, 19 aqueducts (4 now in use), 2 circuses, 2 amphitheaters, 3 theaters, 4 gladiatorial schools, and 36 triumphal arches. There were 423 streets, 1,790 palaces, and 46,602 dwelling-houses. From the 37 gates diverged 28 roads.

In one sense of the word Rome is a vast museum of archaeology. Extensive excavations have been made recently. Literally mountains of rubbish have been removed from the city. The temples, basilicas, palaces, baths, and public places of ancient Rome may be studied now to advantage. Some are in a good state of repair. Of others but traces remain. Many of the triumphal arches and columns are practically uninjured. A countless number of marble and bronze statues, coins, vases, and other objects of art have been arranged in museums and other places for safe keeping. Much has been done. Much remains to be done. The work of excavating has been prosecuted by the Italian government under the intelligent supervision of Professor Lanciani, professor of archaeology in the University of Rome. His Ancient Rome in the Light of Recent Discoveries, published in 1888, should be in every school library. An association of American universities maintains a school of archaeology at Rome.