Rome

Rome, one of the most historically significant cities in the world, has a past that stretches back over two and a half millennia. Founded in 753 BCE, according to legend by Romulus and Remus, it grew from a small settlement along the Tiber River into the center of the Roman Kingdom, Republic, and later the vast Roman Empire. The city’s historical influence shaped much of Western civilization. As the heart of the Roman Republic (509–27 BCE), Rome saw the development of democratic institutions, the expansion of Roman law, and military conquests that stretched from Britain to Egypt. The Republic’s transformation into the Roman Empire in 27 BCE marked the beginning of an era of unprecedented territorial expansion, economic prosperity, and cultural achievements under emperors like Augustus, Trajan, and Hadrian. The empire’s dominance lasted until the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE, but Rome remained a crucial center of Christianity and European power throughout the Middle Ages. The Renaissance brought a revival of art, architecture, and science, with figures like Michelangelo, Raphael, and Leonardo da Vinci leaving their mark on the city. Today, Rome’s historic landmarks—the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Pantheon—serve as enduring symbols of its ancient greatness and enduring legacy in world history. #europetrip