Stories about Rome. History of ancient rome

ancient period

The foundation of the city of Rome in the Italian region of Latium is considered the beginning of Roman history. The first settlements arose in the X-IX centuries BC. on the Palatine, Esquiline, Quirinal and Viminal hills. The city was founded in 753 BC. Romulus. Presumably by the VIII century BC. includes the unification of the settlements of Esquilina and Palatina, later the communities of the remaining hills joined them. As a result, the City on seven hills was formed. The core of the urban settlement of Rome was made up of Latin and Sabine villages with the decisive influence of the Greeks and Etruscans in the political and cultural areas.

Royal period (VIII-VI centuries BC)

The names of seven kings are mentioned, under which Rome achieved a dominant position in Latium: Romulus, Numa Pompilius, Tullus Hostilius, Ankh Marcius, Tarquinius the Ancient, Servius Tullius and Tarquinius the Proud. The last kings came from the Etruscan Tarquinian dynasty. In the tsarist period, the transition from a primitive communal society to a class system was completed. There was a state with its inherent institutions, slavery arose. A particular expression of this development was the reform of Servius Tullius (6th century BC), who divided all citizens capable of bearing arms into five classes according to the property qualification, and also included the plebeians in the Roman people. Therefore social status a Roman citizen was determined not only by belonging to an ancient family, but also by wealth. With the exile around 510 B.C. Etruscan king Tarquinius the Proud, the Romans gained state independence in the form of an aristocratic republic.

Republic Period (510-31 B.C.)

During the era of the Republic, the state was ruled by regular or extraordinary magistrates who replaced each year. The highest government posts were the positions of two consuls, elected for a period of one year, and supreme body power is the Senate. The internal political development of the early republican period (about 510-287 BC) was marked by the struggle of the estates, which was waged by free but disenfranchised plebeians against the privileged patricians. In its course, the plebeians managed to obtain major concessions from the patricians: the allocation of land, written legislation, access to political positions, the people's tribunate, the abolition of debt slavery. The result of this struggle was the formation of the ancient Roman civil community, which became the basis of all further history Rome. In 287 B.C. according to the Hortensian law, all decisions made by the plebeian comitia received legislative force. Thus, the patricians, together with the top of the plebs, organized a new socially privileged class - the nobility. In the foreign policy area, Rome achieved hegemony over neighboring tribes and peoples. Despite the heavy defeat suffered by the Romans in 387 BC. as a result of the invasion of the Gauls, by the year 265, as a result of wars with the Etruscans, Equs, Volsci, Samnites, Latins and Greek cities of southern Italy, they succeeded in gaining dominance over the entire peninsula. In the late Republican period, the expansionist interests of Rome spread beyond Italy. During three Punic Wars The Romans defeated their strongest rival Carthage. They annexed Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica, conquered the Po Valley, the coast of Liguria, Spain and destroyed Carthage. At the same time, Roman expansion into the eastern Mediterranean began. Wars in Illyria (229-228; 219 BC) and Macedonia (215-205; 200-197; 171-167 BC). The culmination of the wars in the East was the victory over the king of the Seleucid state Antiochus III (190 BC), the Aetolian (189 BC) and Achaean leagues (146 BC). As a result of the conquest of these vast areas, the military and political power of Rome increased. Merciless enslavement of the part conquered peoples supplied all new labor force Italian latifundia, as well as urban workshops, quarries and mines. Slaves became the decisive factor in the ancient mode of production. Roman slave society around the middle of the 2nd century BC. reached the classical form. At the same time, the impoverishment and impoverishment of the plebeian strata took place. Free Italic peasants, who until now formed the basis of the economic and military power of the Roman slave state, migrated to the cities and replenished the army of proletarians. This ancient lumpen-proletariat lived at the expense of society. Socio-economic development aggravated the class struggle and led to democratic movements, slave uprisings and a deep crisis of the republican system. Further aggressive wars in Gaul, Africa, Pontus and others (with Mithridates) and the need to repel the Cimbri invasion required the creation of a professional army by Marius (105 BC). Inside ruling class a fierce struggle flared up between the optimates and the populace. The civil war of Marius and Sulla, the I and II triumvirates, the emergency powers of Pompey and the dictatorship of Caesar clearly demonstrated the inability of the ruling class to break the power of the Senate, which had become reactionary. It became obvious that the nobility was no longer able to rule by republican methods over the Roman power, which had gone far beyond the borders of Rome. The republic was replaced by an authoritarian form of government.

Imperial period (31 BC - 476)

The early imperial period (principate) (31 BC - 284) was a period of sole power, which was a form of monarchy with the preservation of the outward signs of a republic. After the victory over Antony in 31 BC. young Octavian Caesar became the sole ruler of Rome. He learned from the assassination of Caesar and demagogically proclaimed the "restoration of the Republic" but assumed a number of higher magistracies. In 27 B.C. adopted the title "August". During the reign of Augustus, a bureaucratic apparatus devoted to him was formed. The new position of city prefect was assigned to especially devoted senators. The person of the emperor himself was guarded by the Praetorian Guard. The urban plebs received "bread and circuses" instead of real political rights. Augustus issued many laws in favor of the slave owners. Foreign policy successors of Augustus, despite the absence major wars was of an aggressive nature. New provinces were annexed, the outer border was fortified. Under Emperor Trajan, the Roman Empire reached its greatest extent. Dissatisfied with the policy of the metropolis to extort taxes, the colonies repeatedly raised uprisings. Another problem was the onslaught of the Parthians and Germans, which intensified in the 2nd century. Beginning with Marcus Aurelius, the emperors tried to resettle the conquered peoples to the new lands of the Roman Empire. The colonatus, which arose due to the low productivity of slaves, became even more widespread. Numerous Asia Minor religious cults became widespread, and in the 1st century Christianity arose, which developed in world religion. The general crisis of production and the state was expressed in the frequent change of emperors, in the temporary falling away of Gaul and Palmyra. In the late imperial period (dominate) (284-476 years), Emperor Diocletian for the first time succeeded in re-establishing the dominance of the aristocracy by establishing absolute monarchy. It finally took shape under Constantine the Great. However, he failed to overcome the general crisis. The colonat more and more resembled slavery, until in 332 Constantine finally fixed the columns to the ground. From the beginning of the 4th century state system turns on Christian church as a means of deterring the masses. Overcoming the deep crisis was seen in the division of the empire into 2 parts. This finally happened after the death of Theodosius in 395. By the 5th century, the situation becomes catastrophic. Increasingly, there are attacks by barbarian tribes, the plunder of Italy and Rome. In 408-410, the attack of the Visigoths by Alaric, in 409 - the invasion of the Vandals in Spain and in 429 in North Africa, in 451 the invasion of the Huns of Attila, in 455 the sack of Rome by the vandals. The deposition of the last Roman emperor, Romulus Augustus, in 476 by Odoacer, king of the Rugians, is considered the end of the Western Roman Empire. The Eastern Roman Empire continued to exist until 1453.

One of the greatest civilizations ancient world rightfully considered the Great Roman Empire. Before its heyday and for a long time after the collapse, the Western world did not know a more powerful state than ancient Rome. In a short period of time, this power was able to conquer vast territories, and its culture continues to influence humanity to this day.

History of Ancient Rome

The history of one of the most influential states of Antiquity began with small settlements located on the hills along the banks of the Tiber. In 753 B.C. e. these settlements merged into a city called Rome. It was founded on seven hills, in a swampy area, in the very epicenter of the constantly conflicting peoples - Latins, Etruscans and ancient Greeks. From this date began the chronology in ancient Rome.

According to ancient legend, the founders of Rome were two brothers - Romulus and Remus, who were the children of the god Mars and the vestal Remy Sylvia. Once at the center of the conspiracy, they were on the verge of death. From certain death, the brothers were saved by a she-wolf, who fed them with her milk. Growing up, they founded a beautiful city, which was named after one of the brothers.

Rice. 1. Romulus and Rem.

Over time, perfectly trained warriors emerged from ordinary farmers who managed to conquer not only all of Italy, but also many neighboring countries. The management system, language, achievements of the culture and art of Rome spread far beyond its borders. The decline of the Roman Empire came in 476 BC.

Periodization of the history of ancient Rome

The formation and development of the Eternal City is usually divided into three important periods:

Royal . Ancient period Rome when local population consisted mostly of fugitives. With the development of crafts and the formation political system Rome began to develop rapidly. During this period, the power in the city belonged to the kings, the first of which was Romulus, and the last - Lucius Tarquinius. Rulers received power not by inheritance, but were appointed by the Senate. When manipulation and bribery began to be used to obtain the coveted throne, the Senate decided to change the political structure in Rome and proclaimed a republic.

Slavery was widespread in ancient Greek society. The slaves who served the masters in the house enjoyed the greatest privileges. The slaves had the hardest time, whose activities were once associated with exhausting work in the fields and the development of mineral deposits.

Republican . During this period, all power belonged to the Senate. Borders ancient rome began to expand through the conquest and annexation of the lands of Italy, Sardinia, Sicily, Corsica, Macedonia, the Mediterranean. The Republic was headed by representatives of the nobility, who were elected at the people's assembly.
The Roman Empire . Power still belonged to the Senate, but a single ruler appeared on the political arena - the Emperor. For that period of time, Ancient Rome increased its territories so much that it became more and more difficult to manage empires. Over time, there was a split of the state into the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern, which was later renamed Byzantium.

Urban planning and architecture

The construction of cities in ancient Rome was approached with great responsibility. Every major locality It was built in such a way that two roads perpendicular to each other intersected in its center. At their intersection there was a central square, a market and all the most important buildings.

Culture of Ancient Rome

The deeds worthy of a true Roman were philosophy, politics, agriculture, war, civil law. This was the basis of the early culture of Ancient Rome. Special attention was paid to the development of sciences and different kind research.

Ancient Roman art, in particular painting and sculpture, had much in common with the art of Ancient Greece. A single ancient culture gave rise to many excellent writers, poets, playwrights.

The ancient culture of Rome, which existed in the period from the 8th century. BC. and until the collapse of the Holy Roman Empire in 476 AD, gave the world its own vision of a system of ideals and values. For this civilization, love for the Motherland, dignity and honor, reverence for the gods and faith in one's own uniqueness were paramount. This article presents main aspects, capable of describing such a unique phenomenon as the culture of Ancient Rome, briefly.

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Ancient Roman culture

According to chronological data, the history of the culture of Ancient Rome can be divided into three main periods:

royal (8th–6th centuries BC);
republican (6th-1st centuries BC);
imperial (1st century BC - 5th century AD).

The royal period of ancient Rome is considered the most primitive in terms of Roman culture. However, at that time the Romans already had own alphabet. At the end of the 6th century, the first ancient schools began to appear, in which children studied Latin and Greek, writing and arithmetic.

Attention! During that short period ancient history, which lasted from 753 to 509. BC, seven kings managed to ascend the Roman throne: Romulus, Numa Pompilius, Tull Hostilius, Ankh Marcius, Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, Servius Tullius, Lucius Tarquinius the Proud.

The Republican period is characterized by the penetration of ancient Greek culture into the life of Ancient Rome. At this time they begin to develop philosophy and law.

The most prominent Roman philosopher of that time was Lucretius (98-55), who in his work "On the Nature of Things" urged people to stop being afraid of superstition and God's punishment.

He gave a completely logical explanation for the appearance of man and the universe. An innovation in the system of Roman law was the introduction of the concept of " entity”, which strengthens the position of private owners.

In the imperial period of the development of ancient culture, everything Greek was abandoned. Roman uniqueness develops. This is clearly seen in the culture and architecture of that time: the Colosseum and the Pantheon. For the first time, attempts are being made to study the activity of the brain. The experiments were carried out by the famous doctor Galen in ancient times. Are being created medical training schools. Religion has also changed. The Roman emperor was now recognized as a deity, who ascended to heaven after death.

Ancient Roman heritage

Many achievements of Ancient Rome in the field of civilization and culture, created in antique period and are now popular all over the world.

Water pipes. Aqueducts were used back in Babylon, but in ancient Rome they began to be used not only for irrigation, but also for domestic needs. Water pipelines were also carried out to industrialists: places where resources were extracted and handicraft quarters. Surviving aqueducts built in antiquity on the territory of modern Europe can be found in Germany, France and Italy.
Sewerage. It became a necessary element of large Roman cities. Drainage systems were used both to drain water during rain, and sewage of a different nature. Antique cesspools are still used today, however, only to remove water after a downpour.
Citizenship. The main legacy of ancient Rome. It was the Romans who established the procedures for obtaining citizenship. All free people were considered legal residents of the Empire, regardless of where they were born and in what territory of the state they live.
Republic. The republican form of government, created in Rome in the ancient period, put the beginning of the creation of a modern type of power. It was the Romans who began to share the reins of government, since, in their opinion, its concentration in the hands of one ruler could be fatal for all citizens. The Romans managed to maintain harmony between the strata of society for a long period of time thanks to delegation. However, ironically, it was the republican form of government that buried the Roman state.
Cultural monuments of Ancient Rome. This rich heritage includes Roman buildings, sculptures, literary works, and philosophical works.

Art

The artistic culture of ancient Rome was very similar to the Greek of the same period. But this also has its advantages. Thanks to the Romans managed to save many works of ancient painting that were copied from Greek artists.

Sculptures from the Romans acquired emotions. Their faces reflected the state of mind, thanks to which the sculpture came to life. It was in ancient Rome that such a literary movement as the novel appeared.

The unified Greco-Roman culture of the ancient period gave rise to many writers, playwrights and poets. A new direction in literature was born - the novel. Among the famous satirists of that time, it is worth noting Plautus and Terence.

Their comedies have been preserved to this day. Livius Andronicus became the first tragedian in Rome and translated Homer's Odyssey into Latin language. Among the poets, it is worth noting Lucilius, who wrote poems on everyday topics. Most often in his works, he ridiculed the obsession with wealth.

During the time of Cicero in Ancient Rome philosophy gains popularity. There are such directions as Roman stoicism, the main idea of which was the achievement of a moral and spiritual ideal by a person, and Roman neoplatonism, which preached the ascent of the human soul to unity with a certain ecstasy.

In the field of astronomy, the ancient scientist Ptolemy is famous, who created the geocentric system of the world. He also wrote a number of works on optics, mathematics and geography.

Architecture of Ancient Rome

The ancient Roman era left majestic monuments of ancient architecture that can be seen today.

Coliseum. A huge amphitheater, the construction of which began in 72 AD. and ended only after 8 years. Its second name, the Flavian amphitheater, is associated with the ruling dynasty, whose representatives were the initiators of the construction. The total capacity of the Roman Colosseum was more than 50 thousand people.

Note! Most often, prisoners of war participated in gladiator fights. Their lives depended on how colorfully they were able to demonstrate their capabilities and to what extent they won over the public. If the gladiator made a strong impression, the spectators of Rome let him live and raised thumb up. If the audience wanted death, then the thumb calmly fell down.

Triumphal Arch of Titus. The initiator of the construction of the monument was the Roman emperor Domitian, shortly after the death of his predecessor Titus. This ancient monument was built in 81 AD. in honor of the conquest of Jerusalem in 70 AD. The arch is known for its convex relief within the span. It depicts a procession of Roman soldiers with trophies captured in Jerusalem.

Pantheon. A majestic structure built by Emperor Hadrian in 126 AD. The Pantheon is a temple dedicated to all the gods. Perfectly preserved to this day in its original form, this cultural monument of the ancient period is unique in its proportionality and visual lightness. From above, the Roman temple is decorated with a dome with a hole in the center for sunlight to enter.

cultural traditions

The brightest and most peculiar traditions of the Roman culture of the ancient period are presented in marriage ceremony.

On the eve of the wedding, the girl, as if saying goodbye to childhood, had to donate her toys and clothes. The head was tied with a red shawl, the bride was dressed in a white tunic, which was tied with a belt of sheep's wool.

The wedding dress in ancient Rome was red, which was worn over a tunic. A bright yellow veil was thrown over the head, which matched the color of the shoes.

herself the ceremony was accompanied pig sacrifice. It was determined by her insides whether a marriage would be happy. And if so, then the performer of the divination ceremony gave his permission.

Already during the ancient period, marriage contracts were drawn up, in which the dowry of the bride and the procedure for dividing property in the event of a divorce were prescribed. The contract was read aloud in front of ten witnesses, after which these witnesses put their signatures.

Specificity

Despite the fact that ancient Rome imitated Greece in many ways, it had characteristic distinctive features in culture. If the Greeks occupied territories by distributing their goods, then Rome led hostilities, completely depriving the conquered territory of independence.

Once every five years, a population survey was conducted - qualification. The activity of the population was valued as in war time, and in peacetime.

The toga was considered the national dress in Rome. That is why the Romans were called "togatus". The eternal companion of Ancient Rome was the army, which stood outside the state. Features of the culture of Ancient Rome allowed it to become the basis for the subsequent flourishing of Europe.

musical culture

The musical culture of the ancient antique period was no different from the artistic one in the sense that it also completely copied the Greek one.

Singers, musicians, dancers were invited from Greece. It was popular to perform the odes of Horace, the poems of Ovid, accompanied by the music of the cithara and tibia.

However, later in ancient Rome, musical performances lost their original appearance and acquired an exceptionally spectacular character. The musicians' performances were accompanied by theatrical performances. Even gladiatorial fights were accompanied by the sounds of trumpets and horns.

During the ancient period, they were very popular music teachers. A letter from the poet Martial to his friend has survived to this day, in which he says that if he becomes a music teacher, then his career is guaranteed.

Pantomime became a new trend in art. It was performed by a dancer-soloist to the sounds of a choir and a large number of musical instruments.

The last Emperor Rome Domitian at the end of the 1st century. AD arranged a "Capitol competition" between soloists, poets and musicians. The winners were crowned with laurel wreaths.

The contribution of ancient Rome to world culture

The contribution of Ancient Rome to the development of modern European civilization is undeniable. The Romans in the ancient period created the Latin alphabet, which was used by all of medieval Europe. Created in Rome system civil law , civic values are defined: patriotism, belief in one's own identity and greatness. In the same place, Christianity historically developed, which greatly influenced the subsequent stages of the development of mankind. The Romans introduced concrete. They taught the world how to build bridges and aqueducts.

Sculpture and art as part of the culture of Ancient Rome

Culture and History of Ancient Rome briefly

Conclusion

The greatest men in history praised ancient Rome and its culture in their quotes. So, Napoleon said: "The history of Rome is the history of the whole world." Obviously, if the Roman Empire had been able to withstand the onslaught of the "barbarian" tribes in 476, then the Renaissance would have appeared to the world much earlier. The contribution of Ancient Rome to world culture is so great that it remains to be studied for a long time.

The report on the topic "Ancient Rome" will tell about the culture and life in this country. "Ancient Rome" report grade 5 can present in the history lesson.

"Ancient Rome" report

Ancient Rome- a powerful ancient civilization that got its name from the capital - Rome. His dominions stretched from England in the north to Ethiopia in the south, from Iran in the east to Portugal in the west. The legend prescribes the founding of the city of Rome to the brothers Romulus and Remus.

The history of ancient Rome dates back to 753 BC. e. and ends in 476 AD. e.

In the development of the culture of Ancient Rome, the following main periods can be distinguished:

1. Etruscan VIII-II century BC e.
2. "royal" VIII-VI century BC. e.
3. Roman Republic 510-31 BC e.
4. Roman Empire 31 years. BC e. - 476 AD e.

What did the ancient Romans do?

Rome was originally a small city-state. Its population consisted of three estates:

patricians - indigenous people who occupied a privileged position in society;
plebeians - later settlers;
foreign slaves - they were captured during the wars waged by the Roman state, as well as their own citizens who became slaves for breaking the law.

Slaves did housework, hard work in agriculture worked in quarries.
Patricians received servants, socialized with friends, studied law, military art visited libraries and places of entertainment. Only they could hold government positions and be military leaders.
The plebeians in all spheres of life were dependent on the patricians. They could not govern the state and command the troops. They only had small areas earth. The plebeians were engaged in trade, various crafts - processing of stone, leather, metal, etc.

All work was done in the morning hours. After dinner, the residents rested and visited the baths with thermal waters. Noble Romans could go to libraries, to the theater.

The political system of ancient Rome

The entire 12-century path of the Roman state consisted of several periods. Initially, it was an elective monarchy headed by a king. The king ruled the state, and performed the duties of the high priest. There was also a senate, which included 300 senators, chosen by the patricians from among their elders. Initially, only the patricians participated in the popular assemblies, but in a later period, the plebeians also achieved these rights.

After the expulsion of the last king at the end of the VI century. BC, a republican system was established in Rome. Instead of a single monarch, 2 consuls were elected annually, who ruled the country together with the Senate. If Rome was in serious danger, a dictator with unlimited power was appointed.
Having created a strong, well-organized army, Rome conquers the entire Apennine Peninsula, defeats its main rival - Kargafen, conquers Greece and other Mediterranean states. And by the 1st century BC, it turns into a world power, the borders of which passed through three continents - Europe, Asia and Africa.
The republican system could not maintain order in an overgrown state. Several dozen of the richest families began to dominate the Senate. They appointed governors who ruled in the conquered territories. The governors shamelessly robbed both ordinary people and wealthy provincials. In response to this, uprisings began and civil wars that lasted almost a century. In the end, the victorious ruler became emperor, and the state became known as an empire.

Education in ancient Rome

The main goal of the Romans was to raise a strong, healthy, self-confident generation.
Boys from low-income families were taught by their fathers to plow and sow, and were introduced to various crafts.
Girls were prepared for the role of wife, mother and mistress of the house - they were taught to cook, sew and other women's activities.

There were three levels of schools in Rome:

elementary schools, gave students basic skills in reading, writing and mathematics.
Grammar schools taught boys from 12 to 16 years old. Teachers of such schools are more educated and occupied a fairly high position in society. Special textbooks and anthologies were created for these schools.
The aristocrats sought to educate their children in rhetorical schools. Boys were taught not only grammar and literature, but also music, astronomy, history and philosophy, medicine, oratory and fencing.

All schools were private. The tuition fees in rhetorical schools were high, so the children of rich and noble Romans studied there.

Roman heritage

Ancient Rome left a great cultural and artistic heritage to mankind: poetic works, oratorical works, philosophical works of Lucretius Cara. Roman law, Latin language - This is the legacy of the ancient Romans.

The Romans created age-old architecture. One of the great buildings Coliseum. hard work the construction was carried out by 12 thousand slaves from Judea. They used the new one they created construction material, - concrete, new architectural forms- dome and arch. The Colosseum held over 50,000 spectators.

Another architectural masterpiece is Pantheon, i.e. temple complex of the Roman gods. This structure is in the form of a dome with a height of about 43 m. At the top of the dome there was a hole with a diameter of 9 m. Sunlight penetrated through it into the hall.

The Romans were rightly proud of the aqueducts - water pipes through which water flowed into the city. The total length of the aqueducts leading to Rome was 350 km! Some of them went to public baths.

To strengthen their power, the Roman emperors widely used a variety of mass spectacles. Caesar in 46 ordered to dig a lake on the Campus Martius, on which a battle was organized between the Syrian and Egyptian fleets. 2000 rowers and 1000 sailors took part in it. And the emperor Claudius staged a battle of the Sicilian and Rhodes fleets on Lake Futsin with the participation of 19,000 people. These spectacles impressed with their scale and splendor, convincing the audience of the power of the rulers of Rome.

Why did the Roman Empire fall? Scientists believe that the state and military power The Romans were unable to manage such a vast empire.

What is Rome in terms of history? In short, this is more than 28 centuries of ups and downs, tragic falls with almost complete destruction, and then a new flourishing and magnificent urban development. These are civil strife with rivers of blood and at the same time or against this background - a brilliant development of the arts. This is a split, confrontation, and then the reunification of religion. The same vicissitudes touched secular power. All this is Rome - ambiguous, multifaceted, based on seven hills, or rather on the Palatine by two twins, fed by a she-wolf, and which is not only the capital of Italy, but of the entire Catholic world. However, in order for the sightseeing of the Eternal City to take place more meaningfully, it would be nice to know, at least in in general terms, history ancient city, which influenced all of humanity, which can be divided into three large periods.

Rome in antiquity

On the territory that Rome will occupy in the future, in fact, as throughout Europe of the Iron Age, human settlements arose - low hills, as well as the close location of the river, contributed to this process. The founding father, as the legend says, being at a tender age, playing with his brother, laid out small stones in the form of a pyramid and declared that there would be a city. Their names were Romulus and Remus, and the year was then 753 BC. Rem decided to claim his rights to the future settlement, but the enraged Romulus in the heat of rage kills his half-brother and single-handedly founds the city.

Interesting. There is no historical grain in the legend of Romulus and Rem, according to experts. Moreover, only one person appeared in the original version of the legend. This is confirmed by the well-known sculpture, dating from the 4th century, of a she-wolf feeding one child, which is kept in the Bologna Museum. However, the equally famous sculptural image of the "Capitolian Wolf" says otherwise - there are two children. But almost certainly these twin figures were placed there during the Renaissance.

Located at the crossroads of trade routes, the city grew rapidly and gained its grandeur and wealth. And soon it became the capital of the kingdom, which includes all the surrounding lands, with the Etruscan rulers at the head. The tyranny of the rulers, and there were seven of them in the history of the reign, including Romulus, brought the people to a revolution, which successfully took place in 510 BC. e. and proclaimed the Roman Republic. The growth of land and capital did not dry out, and after 400 years Rome became the capital of the Empire. And for a long thousand years it was the largest, most influential and richest city in the entire Western world. In addition, under the emperor Constantine, during whose reign St. Peter's Cathedral and St. Paul's Basilica were founded, and Christians were no longer fed to lions in the arena of the Colosseum, Rome becomes a religious center.

Middle Ages

Under the furious onslaught of merciless barbarians in the 4th century AD, the Roman Empire, as well as The eternal City- its capital, pali. The vast majority of buildings are irretrievably destroyed. Ancient sculptures, objects of art, as well as legal laws with moral principles were of no value to the ferocious invaders - Rome is plunged into darkness. However, against the backdrop of a catastrophic decline, the power of the Pope is growing by leaps and bounds, which will soon subjugate the city itself, as well as the provinces surrounding it.

Fact. In 395, the Roman Empire, due to the collapse, consisted of Western and Eastern (Byzantine). An avalanche of barbarians moved to the West, in which Rome was located in 410. The last emperor, Romulus Augustus, was overthrown by the Vandal tribes led by Odoacer. The remnants of the former imperial power migrated to Byzantium, which lasted another 1000 years.

So, papal power is growing stronger - new temples, cathedrals, churches are being built everywhere. Soon the Eternal City becomes a citadel of seemingly spiritual, but in fact pronounced secular power. In the 15th century, with the advent of the Renaissance, Rome literally flourished - there was an energetic construction of bridges and luxurious palaces. The city takes on a new look. It was during this era that such geniuses as Michelangelo, Raphael and other masters created their immortal works. A new St. Peter's Cathedral was built on the site of the destroyed one, and the Sistine Chapel was erected.

New and recent history

In 1798, during the Franco-Prussian War, Rome was occupied by the troops of the French commander Berthier. And again, how many centuries ago the Roman Republic was proclaimed. From the Pope, he was Pius VI in those days, they demanded the renunciation of secular power, which, in principle, is logical. However, he turned out to be, for which he was expelled from the city, where he later died. Until 1870, Rome was in a fever - either the Austrians took it, or the troops of the Neapolitan king Ferdinand I, who, by the way, executed all the republicans. Napoleon Bonaparte was also noted, who generally abolished the Papal State in 1808, and in 1811 declared his newborn son the King of Rome.

But still Time of Troubles passed when, in 1870, the Eternal City was finally occupied by the troops of the Italian kingdom and declared the capital of Italy. And again the period of city construction begins, sometimes too active and hectic - the Tiber is fettered with stone embankments, new hills are being built at full speed, wide comfortable streets are being designed. After the First World War, Rome becomes the center Italian fascism. At the same time, in 1929, an enclave appeared on its territory - the Vatican. World War II, fortunately, did not cause irreparable damage to the monuments of the city. And in 1944 he was already liberated by the allied forces. And since then, Rome has been one of the most peaceful cities on the planet with the brightest history and many monuments that attract tourists from all over the world.

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