There are different opinions about the foundation of the Rome. Few legends say that Rome history begins from April 21,753BC but others say that history of Rome begins from pastoral settlements on the Palantine Hill. Rome has remained as the centre of the Catholic Church. Basically, the Bishop of Rome earned lots of religious importance during Constantine I reign and ultimately recognized as the Pope.
Byzantine and Germanic barbarians ruined the city after the Alaric I and the fall of the Western Roman Empire. It remained the part of the Byzantine Empire until 751AD then Rome became the capital of Papal States and remained until its annexation into the kingdom of Italy in 1870. During middle ages, it became the main pilgrimage site and Charlemagne crowned as the first emperor in Rome on Christmas 800AD by Pope Leo III.
Rome was busy in Counter Reformation process during 17th century and hence it lagged behind the rest of the European capitals over the subsequent centuries. Again in 19th century, it caught up in the nationalistic turmoils. The interesting fact is that twice it gained and lost short lived independence. Beside all these things it became the focus of the hopes for Italian unification and after the French protection was lifted in 1870, the royal troops stormed the city and eventually Rome declared as the capital of newly unified Italy in 1871.
Rome is also remembered as the witness of Italian fascism which was eventually end up with the execution of Mussolini and 1946 referendum abolished the monarchy in favor of the Italian Republic. It became a fashionable city in the 1950s and early 1960s, the years of la dolce vita ("the sweet life"). |