The Eternal City

Rome, often referred to as the "Eternal City," has a history that stretches over 2,500 years, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, According to legend, it was founded in 753 BCE by Romulus, who, along with his twin brother Remus, was raised by a she-wolf,While the myth is rich in symbolism, archaeological evidence suggests that early settlements began to coalesce on the Palatine Hill around the 8th century BCE. These small communities eventually merged, laying the foundation for what would become one of the greatest empires in history.
The Roman Republic was established in 509 BCE after the overthrow of the last Roman king,During this era, Rome expanded its territory through military conquest and strategic alliances,It developed a complex system of governance, with elected magistrates, a Senate, and popular assemblies. The Republic witnessed internal conflicts, most notably the struggles between aristocrats and commoners, and later, the rise of powerful generals like Julius Caesar. Caesar’s assassination in 44 BCE triggered the end of the Republic and the beginning of a new political order.
With the rise of Augustus in 27 BCE, Rome transitioned into an empire. The Roman Empire reached its territorial peak in the 2nd century CE under Emperor Trajan, stretching from Britain to the Middle East and across North Africa. This era brought about a long period of relative peace and stability known as the Pax Romana. Rome became a center of culture, architecture, and engineering, with achievements such as aqueducts, roads, the Colosseum, and an extensive legal code. Latin, the language of Rome, laid the foundation for many modern European languages.
The empire eventually weakened due to internal strife, economic troubles, and invasions by Germanic tribes. In 476 CE, the Western Roman Empire officially fell when the last emperor was deposed. However, the Eastern Roman Empire, known as the Byzantine Empire, continued for nearly another thousand years. Despite its political decline, Rome remained a significant religious and cultural hub, particularly as the center of the Roman Catholic Church. Today, its ruins and legacy still shape the modern world, testifying to its lasting influence on law, governance, art, and architecture