This article is a brief summary of the most important events in Roman history. How did Rome become an empire and later in a new era a modern democratically controlled society? The article explores the history of Rome from Romulus and Remus to the present republican form of government.
According to the best known legend, Rome was founded by twins Romulus and Remus in 753 BC. The brothers soon became involved in a power struggle, and as a result Romulus killed his brother and became the first king of Rome. According to another legend, Aeneas, the hero of the Trojan War, would have established Rome as a refuge for escaped soldiers. In any case, the monarchy became the first form of government in Rome until the early 6th century BC, when a republic,1 governed by an elected Senate and consuls, was established.
Republican time ended with a war of power between the warlords. Caesar defeated his rivals in The Great Roman Civil War (49–45 BC) and proclaimed himself dictator for life in 44 BC. After Caesar’s murder,2 his adopted son Octavian (later Augustus) became the first emperor of Rome. During the first centuries before the beginning of the era, Rome gradually became a world power as a result of the conquest wars. The Roman Empire stretched from the Rhine and Northern England to North Africa and the Middle East. Over time, however, it was impossible to hold a huge empire, even with a comprehensive road network and professional army. Rome was divided into western and eastern Roman empires in 395. Western Rome lost its leading position after Constantinople became the capital of Eastern Rome in 330 and was defeated by the Germanic conquest in 476.3
The Pope’s position as the head of Western Christianity strengthened since the 500s as Christianity spread to Western Europe. The Christian rulers now needed the Pope’s blessing on their own kingdom, which, on the other hand, strengthened the Holy See’s position in European power politics. Rome was an important pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages. During the Renaissance, the Pope’s Church competed with the Medici4 of Florence for political and economic influence, also serving as a prominent patron of the arts. In the new era, the Pope was generous in his support of major construction projects in central Rome to emphasize his power. In 1870, Rome was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy and became the capital of the country. The Vatican became an independent state in 1929.5
During Mussolini’s reign (1922-1944), the old historic center of Rome was both restored and partially destroyed. During World War II, the Germans occupied the city until it was liberated by Allied troops on June 4, 1944. In 1946 the monarchy was abolished and Italy became a republic.6
References:
1 Dillon, Matthew – Garland, Lynda, Ancient Rome: A Sourcebook. Routledge. London & New York 2005, p.1; Sarti, Roland, Italy: A Reference Guide from the Renaissance to the Present. Facts on File, Inc. New York 2004, p.637.
2 Keates, Jonathan, The Rough Guide History of Italy. Rough Guides Online. London 2003. pp.26-27.
3 Duggan, Christopher, A Concise History of Italy. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge 1984, p.32.
4 Duggan 1984, p.51; Keates 2003, pp.107-108.
5 Holmes, George (ed.), The Oxford History of Italy. Oxford University Press 1997, p.228.
6 Keates 2003, p.309.
