Rome has long been a city of fascination, both for its illustrious past and its unbeatable climate. So, what better place to start a discussion of ancient Rome’s location than by identifying where it can be found in the modern world. To do this, we’re going to have to go all the way back nearly two and a half thousand years.
Yes, Ancient Rome was once a powerful, sprawling empire known around the world. At its height in the first and second centuries AD, it covered a broad swathe of Europe, North Africa, Turkey, the Middle East and present-day England, totaling an area around five million square kilometres. Spelled out, that’s five million from Spain to Egypt, from Syria to England. In other words, the Roman Empire was huge and its impact could be felt far beyond its physical boundaries.
Today, of course, things have drastically changed. Much of the former lands which formed the Western side of the Roman Empire have been absorbed into many other countries – Italy, Spain, France and Germany just to name a few – but the core of that original area will always be Rome itself.
Rome is located in central Italy, nestled in the National Park of Cascia and the Apennine Mountains. It sits on the north bank of the Tiber river and is bordered by the sea. This geographical punch has always been the city’s strength and continues to be so today. The same landscape which made it so popular with the ancient empires also attracts millions of visitors annually to this day.
Within Rome, there are still plenty of ruins, as well as a number of galleries and museums, to explore. Amongst these are the Colosseum and the Forum, two of Ancient Rome’s most enduring symbols of power. Elsewhere in the city, you can find artefacts from the period and stroll in the footsteps of the Caesars. It’s an experience few will forget.
As such, a visit to Ancient Rome – or at least to the city – is one worth making. It’s a testament to the power and potential of this ancient Italian city, which despite its many changes over time, continues to be home to a huge cultural opinion. Of course, it can’t be denied that Rome today is very different from what it was in antiquity. But the city’s many charms and treasures – both historical and modern – remain, just as they have always done.
Impact On Surrounding Areas
The city of Rome was the heart of a large and powerful empire, and its legacy can still be seen in its modern-day borders. For example, many of the countries and regions surrounding Italy, such as France, Spain, and the Balkans, still speak Latin-based languages which were left behind by the Romans over 2,000 years ago. Even today, the cultural and linguistic impact of Ancient Rome can be felt far and wide.
The city itself was home to one of the most impressive civic buildings in the ancient world, the Forum of Augustus or Roman Forum. This vast Forum featured many temples and public buildings, as well as gardens and public gardens. As such, it served as a civic centre, official ceremonial place and gathering spot for the people of Rome. Although much of the Forum has been destroyed, there are still some parts of the Forum which have been preserved, providing tourists and historians alike a glimpse into the magnificence of the Ancient Roman Empire.
The city also served as a major port and trading hub in the Mediterranean Sea, connecting the civilizations of the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe together. Its naval fleets and merchants played a key part in diffusing culture, technology, and products between each area. Businesses in Ancient Rome even minted their own coins, which remained an important tool for trade in the region for centuries.
Aside from these economic and cultural exchanges, Ancient Rome also had other profound impacts on the surrounding areas. For instance, the Romans pioneered aqueducts, roads and sewers, inventions which would be copied or adopted by neighboring civilizations later on. These structures and systems not only enabled the Roman armies to march quickly across the empire, but also allowed for faster movement of goods
Rules and Regulations Of Ancient Rome
The rule and regulation of Rome during its period of imperial dominance was famously dictated by the Roman Senate. This body of elected officials, made up of the elite upper class of Roman citizens and elites, held considerable power as a check on the absolute authority of the Emperor. They were, in their day, something of a political watchdog, keeping an eye on the Emperor to ensure his power was not abused.
At the head of the Senate, was the Pontifex Maximus, a figurehead whose role was to facilitate debate and help sign off on motions and decisions. Headed by the Pontiff and made up of several hundred members of the Senate, the Senate was one of the primary decision-makers within the Roman Empire. This elite body of men and women had a say in everything from military decisions, to taxation, to religious reforms.
Of course, in addition to the Senate, there were other bodies at play in the Roman Empire. The Senate was one of many, but it was perhaps the most important. These other branches, such as the Law Courts, had a smaller but still significant presence during this time, and they played a role in shaping the everyday life of citizens and subjects alike.
Ultimately, Ancient Rome was famed for its impressive infrastructure and systems of government, both of which evolved significantly over the years and provided for predictable, far-reaching rule. Even the most powerful of Roman Emperors had to take into consideration the wishes of the Senate, making for a less arbitrary form of government and recognizing the importance of a functional democracy.
Cultural Influences of Ancient Rome
The cultural influences of Ancient Rome were far-reaching, and that is still true even two millennia on. In fact, the legacy of Ancient Rome and its impact on the world today can be seen in many areas. For example, the numerous and comprehensive public works seen in the city today, such as the Coliseum and Pantheon, are direct legacies of the engineering and design prowess of ancient Roman engineers.
The Romans were also renowned for their law and legal system. The Roman Code of Law, in particular, has been commended as one of the most important and influential legal documents of all time. It is the basis for many modern legal systems, which are indebted to the innovative way in which the Romans outlined the rights of citizens, governed contracts and disputes, and established order in the empire.
In terms of literature and philosophy, Ancient Rome’s impact was profound and wide-reaching. Writers such as Cicero, Ovid and Virgil were studied intensely in later generations and are still celebrated today as some of the greatest classical authors. In the same way, philosophers such as Seneca and Lucretius were also hugely influential and their work is still studied by scholars today.
The one element that truly tied all of these aspects of Ancient Roman culture together was the Latin language. This is still the official language of the Catholic Church and a number of other countries in Europe. This single language was the tie that bound the many regions of the Roman Empire together and helped form the culture, religion and society of the region.
Preserving the Legacy Of Ancient Rome
Today, the cultural legacy of the Roman Empire continues to remain vivid and alive. It is still possible to visit many of the iconic buildings and monuments such as the Coliseum and the Baths of Caracalla, or explore some of the lesser-known structures such as the Roman Theatre. There are also many public and private initiatives which strive to preserve what remains of Ancient Rome and keep its memory alive.
The Italian government, for example, was one of the first to recognize the potential of Ancient Rome and its legacy, setting up the area of Rome as a National Monument in the late 19th century. This effort was part of a greater programme of urban renewal and city-building works, led by Italian authorities and the Catholic Church. Seen today, much of Rome looks drastically different from what it did during the time of the Roman Empire, but it has resisted the ravages of time like no other.
This story of preservation is one that can be seen in many other countries across Europe, from Spain to England to Turkey. These countries all have a unique connection to Ancient Rome and the cultural and historical importance of the city goes far beyond its borders.
Similarly, Ancient Rome continues to be an enduring source of inspiration for modern art and entertainment. Ridley Scott’s Gladiator is just one example of how the fascination with Ancient Rome still resonates strongly throughout the world today. From the silver screen to museums and parks, interest in Ancient Rome continues to thrive.
