Audio Guide: Rome Introduction Walking Tour I (Self Guided), Rome

Often referred to as the Eternal City, Rome holds a unique place in the story of Western civilization. Its influence shaped European culture through language, governance, and monumental architecture.

The name “Rome” originates from Romulus, the mythical founder of the city, who, according to legend, was the son of the war god Mars and Rhea Silvia, the priestess of goddess Vesta. Both Romulus and his twin brother Remus were found by a she-wolf in a cave. She suckled them until a shepherd rescued the two.

As adults, the brothers decided to establish a new town but quarreled over its location. In a heated debate that turned into a fight, Romulus killed Remus. He established the new town on the Palatine Hill, naming it after himself and reigning as its first king. The Hut of Romulus on the Palatine Hill attests to this legend.

Rome's history stretches back over 2,500 years, beginning as an Iron Age village in 753 BC. In 509 BC, the Romans overthrown its last king and established a republic led by two annually-elected consuls. This form of governance had a profound influence on how modern-day governments function.

Over the centuries, Rome grew from a struggling city-state to the capital of the mighty empire, which dominated the Mediterranean by the 1st century AD. Between the 6th and 9th centuries, Latin, the dominant tongue of the Roman Empire, evolved into distinct Romance languages. Most European languages today either trace their roots directly to or are heavily influenced by Latin.

After the Roman Empire's fall in 476 AD, the city declined but rebounded during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, becoming a hub for artistic achievements. In 1870, Rome was declared the capital of unified Italy, cementing its legacy as a cultural and historical powerhouse.

The Colosseum, built in 70-80 AD, symbolizes Rome’s grandeur as the Roman Empire’s largest amphitheater. The Roman Forum still in place was once the city’s political and commercial heart, while the Imperial Forums reflect the architectural ambitions of its emperors. The Capitoline Museums, atop Michelangelo-designed Capitoline Hill, house remarkable artifacts. Nearby, the Victor Emmanuel II Monument celebrates Italy’s unification. Art enthusiasts can explore masterpieces at the Doria Pamphilj Gallery, and Trevi Fountain beckons visitors to toss a coin, promising their return.

Rome is a city where every corner tells a story, blending myth and history, the ancient and the modern. A visit here offers an endless journey of discovery. So come and immerse yourself in the Eternal City, where the past and present live in perfect harmony.