Ancient Rome: Explore the Eternal City's Historic Heart

One of the most ancient cities in Europe, ancient Rome has lived through 2,700 years.

Iconic bronze sculpture of the she-wolf with Romulus and Remus, symbolizing the legendary origins of ancient Rome. — Symbol of ancient Rome’s legendary origins, the Capitoline Wolf depicts the myth of Romulus and Remus nurtured by a she-wolf.

Since then, it has been continuously inhabited, and, as headquarters first of the Roman Empire and then of the Roman Catholic Church, it has had a gigantic impact on the world.

Many European languages are based on Latin, many political and legal systems follow the ancient Roman model, and buildings all around the world utilize styles and techniques perfected in the Roman empire.

Today’s Rome has become the world’s most famous open-air museum. The city itself retains layers of buildings spanning over two millennia.

» Find out more about the History of Rome

The Ancient Centre

The Capitol, the southern summit of the Capitoline Hill, was the symbolic centre of the Roman world and home to the city’s three most important temples.

Panoramic view of the Roman Forum from the Tabularium, featuring the Arch of Septimius Severus and Temple of Saturn under a bright blue sky.

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Below the Capitol lies the Roman Forum, once the focus of political, social, legal, and commercial life; the Imperial Fora, built when Rome’s population grew; The Roman Forum is known as the central area around which ancient Rome developed; and the Colosseum, the centre of entertainment.

Overlooking the Forum is the Palantine Hill, where Romulus is said to have founded Rome in the 8th century BC, and emperors lived for over 400 years.

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Map of Ancient Rome

Map showing Roman territory expansion from 250 BC to 100 BC and Hannibal’s invasion route across Spain, Gaul, and into Italy. — Map of the Roman Republic showing the expansion of Roman territory from 250 BC to 100 BC, prior to the rise of the Roman Empire.