Looking for some facts about Rome? If are you in luck!
Below we have over 100 facts about ancient roman life, modern Rome, and interesting things in Rome Italy.
Dating back to 753 BC, Rome is one of the most famous cities in the world. It is known for its ancient architecture, as well as its culture and history. Rome is also the epicenter of Catholicism.
It is often called the eternal city because it has survived so long. The first emperor of Rome was Augustus, and it became a republic in 509 BC.
25 Fun Facts About Rome
Rome was founded in 753 BC by Romulus and Remus, two of the sons of Mars, the god of war.
The Roman name for their city was Roma.
Rome was the largest and most powerful city in the world by 300 BC.
Rome became a republic in 509 BC.
Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC, setting off a series of civil wars that led to the rise of the Roman Empire.
The Roman Empire reached its greatest extent under the rule of Trajan, who ruled from 98-117 AD.
SPQR, the saying of Rome means “Senatus PopulusQue Romanus”.
Which today translates as the Senate and the People of Rome.
There are many skip-the-line tickets in Rome.
These let you see sites faster, and avoid long lines.
Cinque Terre is one of the best weekend getaways from Rome
The Roman Colosseum was also used for naval battles.
This is one of the wildest facts about Rome culture.
Caput Mundi is a Latin phrase to desribe Rome.
And used to describe the eternal city as the capital of the world.
Throughout history, the Catholic Church has had a lot of power in Rome.
There are still old Roman Roads you can walk along today.
Today a Rome Tour is one of the best ways to see the city.
The Byzantine Empire is also referred to as the eastern roman empire
Santa Maria Maggiore is the largest Rome.
And the second most beautiful church in Rome.
Spanish Steps are the most famous stairs in the world
Even today the Spanish steps are a popular hang-out spot for people traveling in Rome.
Piazza Navona has two of the most beautiful fountains in Rome.
Piazza Navona is a great square to hang out in at night.
Palatine Hill is famous for Rome’s seven hills And was the historic center of Ancient Rome.
Entrance to palatine hill is included in your Colossouem Ticket.
This is a useful travel tip for you guys visiting Rome.
There is a lesser-known side entrance to palatine hill that usually has smaller lines.
The Roman Forum is right below Palatine Hill.
The Romans built sewers to help them eliminate waste.
And one of the reasons the Roman Forum was built.
30 Interesting Facts About Rome Italy
Christianity began to spread through Rome in the mid-1st century AD.
The Roman Empire fell in the 5th century AD.
Rome was sacked by the Visigoths in 410 AD.
The Roman Empire was sacked by the Vandals in 455 AD.
The Roman Empire was sacked by the Goths in 410 AD.
Rome’s Empire was sacked by people from the Middle East in 846 AD.
The Roman Empire was sacked by the Normans in 1084 AD.
The Colosseum was used to host animal hunts and executions.
Rome’s Empire was one of the largest empires in world history.
After Ceaser, the Roman Empire was founded in 27 BC by Augustus Caesar.
Rome is home to the world’s largest Catholic population.
Anyone familiar with Ancient Roman history shouldn’t be surprised by any Rome facts that have to do with the Catholic Church.
Rome was the largest city in the world during the height of the Roman Empire.
The Roman Empire was the most powerful empire of its time.
Up to 3,00 people fought in a sea battle in the Colosseum
Trevi Fountain stands a massive 85 feet tall and is almost 65 feet wide.
And roughly 3,000 dollars in through into Trevi Fountain every day.
Not all Gladiators were slaves
Many free men were drawn to become gladiators because of the fame, thrill, and roar of the crowd. Actually, one emperor even became a Gladiator.
Trevi Fountain is made out of the same type of stone as the Colosseum.
There were also women gladiators.
The great fire of Rome in 64 CE, started in the Circus Maximus.
Everyone knows about the fire. But where it started is one of those little-known ancient Rome facts.
The fire raged for six days and burned down 5/7th of the city.
Many historians blame the mad and infamous Emperor Nero for the fire.
Rome’s nickname is the Eternal City. And it fits as Rome is magnificent.
The Smallest County in the world sits in Rome. Of course, it is Vatican City.
Vatican City is an absolute monarchy.
The pope is the leader of Vatican City.
The Vatican has its government and issues passports and license plates. They also have their TV station.
Julius Caesar was a famous Roman general and politician about 2,000 years ago.
Depending on your view he is either famous or infamous. Whatever the case, there is no debate. And one of the most well known facts about Rome, is that he has become one of the most influential leaders in history.
Castel Santangelo holds the tomb of Marcus Aurelius. Who has some of the best quotes about Stoicism?
The Vatican Museum holds the most famous ceiling in the world. This is, of course, the Sistine chapel.
The Sistine Chapel was painted by Michelangelo.
Caesar Augustus took people after Julius Ceaser.
At one time there were over half a million soldiers in the Roman army.
Modern Rome has hundreds of fountains and almost a thousand churches.
Many of them were built by ancient Romans.
Facts About Rome Culture and Ancient Rome
People in Ancient Rome used wine as a way to give alms to the gods.
They also used wine to purify water. They put spices and honey in it.
Rome was once allied with its rival Carthage
Once rivals Rome and Carthage fought 3 “Punic Wars” early in the existence of Rome when they were still learning how to fight wars.
The Punic War was for who would control the region.
There are underground luxurious facilities in Rome. You can take a small group tour of them.
This was during the pyrrhic war. Soon cartage would become a bitter rival of Ancient Rome.
A historical fact that most people don’t know.
Today Rome has many fancy hotels with Luxurious Facilities
Most people in Ancient Rome, and today, live in Apartment Blocks.
These apartments could have been 3 to 5 stories high.
Walks of Italy is my favorite company for a small group tour in Italy.
There are many underground passages in Rome
One of the best facts about Rome is that they built the city around all the ancient ruins. This is one reason the city is so magnificent.
Capitoline hill is the smallest and most important of the seven hills of Rome.
The Byzantine Empire was a place where people who used to be in the Roman Empire lived for many years. It lasted from about 395 CE until 1453.
Facts about the western roman empire stretched from Italy, the British Isles, and North Africa.
This is one of those impressive Rome facts that show you how much power the ancient Romans had.
Ancient Romans got their gods from Ancient Greece.
The Roman Emperor Hadrian took over parts of the British Isles. But couldn’t conquer Scotland.
In Ancient Rome, the Vestal Virgins had special privileges that other women did not have. A vestal virgin had to come from a highborn family.
18 Facts About the Roman Empire
Hunting animals in forests was during the Roman Empire. But grain is controlled by the government.
The Romans were good at building roads and houses. They built good houses, roads, and ports. It is why they thrived for a long time.
The story of Romulus and Remus wasn’t always part of Rome’s History.
Romulus was probably invented by the Ancient Romans’ when searching for some sort of identity for the city.
The Empire had 70 Roman Emperors during the Roman Empire.
The last of the good Emperors are the only Philosopher king in history. And the best Roman Emperor. His name is Marcus Aurelius.
He was a great man! And I highly suggest reading the best Marcus Auriliues’ Quotes.
The Domus Aurea is an amazing Underground site in Rome
Seneca was the tutor of Emperor Nero. And no matter how good their quotes of Seneca are, he could not break through to him. And Nero only becomes madder, and crazy.
Speaking of Nero. St Peter was killed by Nero.
And St Peters Basilica is built over Peters Tomb. This is a very interesting fact about Rome that most people don’t know.
Emperor Vespasian became Emperor of Rome after Nero’s death. And was generally well-liked.
At the height of the Rome Empire, there had 29 massive military highways leading from the capital.
This was an impressive road network for this time in history.
The Roman Empire spanned 3 continents. Europe, Asia, and Africa
The history of Rome from a small town, to a massive republic, to a global empire is nothing short of impressive.
Before Julius Caesar, there was no Roman Empire. It was the Roman Republic.
The Roman Forum was the center of activity for life in the Roman Empire.
Palatine hill was the birthplace of Rome. And was where the emperor‘s palace was in the Roman Empire.
Julius Caesar was a general and held many important jobs. And he was also a lawyer and helped people.
Not all roman emperors in ancient Rome were bad. Emperor Trajan generous to the populace of Rome
10 Short Facts About Ancient Rome
Gladiators are organized into different classes and types
Gladiators did fight wild animals. But it was rare.
The toga was Rome’s national costume.
Today Aventine Hill has a famous keyhole, which you can see Vatican City through.
One fact about Rome is that it is one of the most visited cities in Europe
Backpackers and Travelers Hang Out on the Spanish Steps
The Roman Republic lasted for hundreds of years
Rome is built on seven hills
Rome has thousands of years of interesting history. You could easily come up with thousands of facts about Rome.
They have public restrooms in Ancient Rome. How crazy is that facts about Rome.
Facts About Rome for Kids
Wild animals like wolves, deer, and boar were native to the area around Rome.
Originally Gladiatorial fights were part of funeral ceremonies.
Gladiators didn’t always fight to the death.
And the infamous thumbs down didn’t always mean the Gladiator had to die.
One Reason Rome Was So Powerful is that they were great at building roads. It was a key to their dominance.
At one point they had over 372 great roads.
The toga was the traditional dress of Ancient Rome.
Facts About Rome Food
There was a cookbook from ancient times which showed how to make some yummy food.
It was called De Re Coquinaria and it was written by a Roman, Apicius, who liked to cook. He explained 500 dinner recipes that the rich and important people ate in ancient Rome.
Romans grew black beans, brown mushrooms, green turnips, white cabbages, yellow onions, red asparagus, and purple peas. They also grew apples and figs.
Apart from the foods, they grew on the mainland. People in Ancient Rome ate food grown close to Rome and on islands off Italy like Sicily and Sardinia.
Romans farmed snails and oysters back in the day.
People used to buy food at the market called a macellum. Romans could also eat in restaurants, and some of them drank in bars.
The Romans liked to eat desserts with wine. One dessert they ate was called a sponge cake.
They used to eat it without sugar. They would use fruit to make it sweet.
Most rich people have meat and fish. They also eat exotic animals like ostriches and peacocks.
There are even mentions of flamingo tongues being extremely tasty.
Cacio E Pepe is a traditional Rome dish. And is on almost every menu in Rome.
From Trevi fountain to the steps of the Ancient Roman palace. There are hundreds of fun facts about Rome. What was your favorite?