Rome

4029

Rome

 

the many palaces lining the Corso; at its ter-
mination is the imposing Palazzo Venezia, be-
gun in 1455 and built of stones obtained from
the Colosseum. Near the Palazzo Venezia is a
huge monument to Victor Emmanuel n., be-
gun in 1885 and finished in 1912. It consists
of colonnades and steps surmounted by an
equestrian statue of the king and is richly
adorned with mosaics and paintings.
Northwest of the Piazza Venezia is the
Palazzo Doria, one of the most magnificent in
Rome, with a notable collection of paintings;
^1 n. of this is the Palazzo Colonna with a pic-
ture gallery; and still farther n.w., near the
Tiber, is the Palazzo Borghese with a beauti-
ful colonnaded court. The church of Santa
Maria Rotonda, known as the Pantheon, not
far from the Piazza Colonna, is the only an-
cient building in Rome still in good preser-
vation. Other noteworthy features in this
section of Rome are the University; the vari-
ous government offices; the Palazzo della
Cancellaria, a fine Renaissance building with
a beautiful court; the Palazzo Farnese, built
of material taken from the Colosseum and the
Theatre of Marcellus; the ruins of the Thea-
tre of Marcellus, begun by Csesar and com-
pleted by Augustus; and the Porticus of Oc-
tavia, erected by Augustus and dedicated to
his sister.
The third section of Rome comprises the
southern portion, beginning with the Capitol
and containing the Capitoline, Palatine, Av-
entine and part of the Esquiline Hills. In the
time of the empire it was the most important
part of the city, but has now lost much of
its characteristic appearance owing to new
and ill-advised construction. The Capitoline
Hill is approached by a magnificent staircase,
which leads to the church of Santa Maria in
AracoeH, crowning its summit and occupy-
ing the site of the ancient Capitoline temple
of Juno. The square of the Capitol was de-
signed by Michelangelo. Southeast of the
Capitoline Hill, between the Palatine and
Esquiline, lie the remains of the once mag-
nificent Roman Forum. Conspicuous among
these ruins is the Colosseum. South of the
Colosseum stands the Triumphal Arch of
Constantine, one of the best preserved struc-
tures of its kind in Rome. Of the Forum of
Trajan there still remains a marble shaft,
known as Trajan's Column. The Palatine Hill
was the site of the Roman Quadrata. In the
days of the republic it was occupied by priv-
ate dwellings, including palaces. The Aven-
tine, once the home of the Roman 'plebs,' is
now chiefly covered with vineyards and

monasteries. The section known as the Lat-
eran lies s.e. of the Colosseum. Here are
churches and the Lateran Palace, in which
the popes resided from the time of Constan-
tine until 1300, and which now contains the
Museum Gregorianum Lateranese, founded
in 1843.
The fourth section of the city comprises
the quarters lying on the w. bank of the
Tiber, In the n. is the Borgo or Vatican quar-
ter and in the s. is the Trastevere, with the
Via della Lungara between. The chief ancient
structure in the Borgo is the Castel Sant'
Angelo, the tomb of Hadrian. West of the
Castel Sant' Angelo are the church of St.
Peter and the Vatican. The Trastevere is the
home of the working class. In this section are
the churches of Santa Maria in Trastevere,
rebuilt in the twelfth century, Santa Cecilia
in Trastevere, the legendary home of St. Ce-
cilia, and San Pietro in Montorio, on the
traditional site of St. Peter's crucifixion. A
fine view of Rome is afforded from the piazza
in front of San Pietro in Mortorio. South of
Rome are the Catacombs, the burial places of
the early Christians; to the n. is the Villa
Albani with a good art collection. The Via
Appia which leads s. from Rome, a famous
ancient highway, is now transformed into a
modern street.
Industrially Rome is not important. Man-
ufactures of art goods, as bronzes, cameos,
ecclesiastical ornaments, and mosaics, and
the making of copies of famous paintings are
flourishing industries.
After the Allies invaded Italy, Rome was
declared (Aug. 14, 1943) an open city.
History of Rome. i. The Regal Period
(753-Sio b.c.).—The germ of Rome was a
village on Mons Palatinus. Legend, tradition,
and early festivals point to pastoral inhabi-
tants coming from Alba Longa and other
Latin towns, augmented by migrations. The
evidence of language points to community of
origin or early connection with Greeks. It is
said that this village was first fortified by
Romulus, who was regarded as founder of
the city. To his reign (753-715) are assigned
the formation of the senate, the introduction
of Sabine inhabitants, and the first struggles
with Fidenae and Veii. Of subsequent rulers,
Servius Tullius (578-534) built the first wall
including the Seven Hills; he also divided the
whole people into one hundred and ninety-
three centimes for military service, and into
twenty-one tribes for purposes of taxation.
L. Tarquinius Superbus (534-510) extended
Roman power beyond vetus Latium, fought