capital of Italy - Rome is one of the oldest cities in the world.At first, it was located on the east bank of the Tiber.He was called the "eternal" or "the city of seven hills."Rome was actually built on the hills, which were separated by relatively deep, but small in size valleys.Now the ancient capital has grown and has occupied the territory on both sides of the river.Now she is already on twelve hills, but there map of ancient Rome, which marked the original place of settlement, involving only seven hills.
General
But as the history of the Eternal City, he began to build it on the left bank of the Tiber River.The hills of ancient Rome settled gradually.First, where there was a settlement, it was a central one - Palatine, Esquiline and then further the Capitol and the Quirinal, Viminal Hill later, Celio and Aventine.After all, they have been included in the city limits, the Romans began to once a year on December 11 to celebrate the Day of semiholmiya.
place where the ancient settlement was founded, is of volcanic origin.The height of the hills averages around 40-50 m above the river.
Palatine
It was from him and began the history of the Eternal City.According to legend, at the foot of the hill on the waters of the Tiber sailed basket with babies - Romulus and Remus, which later became the founders of ancient Rome.There was a cave on the coast, where there lived a wolf who nursed and brothers.This hill is named in honor of the goddess Pales - patron saint of shepherds.
Ever since the city was founded, this part of Ancient Rome has always been the center of power where they lived patricians, emperors and kings.Aristocrats here built their magnificent palaces - Domus.These fragments have survived to this day.
Eskvilin
Its name translates as "the suburbs."It has been said above, that the hills of ancient Rome were occupied in turn.Palatine was the next after this hill.At the time, she was literally transformed into a city dump.In addition, it carried out executions, and also has a cemetery where they buried the poor and slaves.Their grave is a fairly deep pits where the corpses and dumped.
During the reign of Emperor Augustus bombarded the cemetery, and in its place rose the beautiful gardens of Maecenas.Also on the Esquiline built an entire system of aqueducts.
Capitol
All the hills of ancient Rome had its purpose.This hill was entirely built up churches.Here is the one dedicated to the goddess Juno Moneta where lived the legendary geese that have prevented his loud cry of the approaching enemy of the Romans.Here it was resettled and the first courtyard where mint money.They were called "coins" in honor of a local goddess.
around the Capitol during the reign of Servius Tullius was built wall through which Hill became an impregnable stronghold.In its center a temple dedicated to Jupiter.Beneath it were the quarry, which caused its complete destruction.In the Middle Ages the territory of a hill only a monumental structure was a temple of the Holy Mary.To his entrance a staircase, where there were 122 steps.It was built in honor of the deliverance of the city from the plague.
Quirinal
Almost all the hills of ancient Rome have their own legend.Quirinal was no exception.He was named in honor of the war god Quirinus, who worshiped the ancient Sabines.According to legend, Rome was originally lived among men.Once Romulus invited the Sabines to the feast.During the celebration of the Romans kidnapped the guests all the girls and married them.Because of this, war broke out that the kidnappers have begun to lose.
According to legend, the armed conflict stopped by the women themselves, as have become accustomed to his Roman families.As a result, the warring parties entered into a peace treaty.Interestingly, his main point was the condition on which Sabinsky ruler Titus Tatius became the ruler of Rome on a par with Romulus.
Viminal Hill
name hill means "willow hill" because its slopes are entirely covered by these trees.Originally it was inhabited by the Sabines.The composition of the Eternal City and the Quirinal Viminal Hill entered simultaneously by the Romans after the abduction of girls.During the period of the Empire, the area was mostly built apartment buildings, inhabited by people from the lower class.
There is also a famous and ancient Roman baths - Baths of Diocletian, covers an area of about 13 hectares.They can simultaneously accommodate 3,200 people.In terms of territory and grew beautiful gardens, marvelous fountains beat, and a library.In addition, the Viminal Hill was the place where they lived Praetorians, performs the functions of the personal guard of the ruler of Rome.
Celio
As you know, initially Ancient Rome briefly on the hills which was described in the article, was settled very unevenly - this area was built up one of the last.Celio was named after the Etruscan Celes Vibenny.He was considered the ancestor of the Roman plebeians, so the local land inhabited only by his descendants.Only here in the I century I stretched know.The main place of worship on a hill was a temple dedicated to the Divine Claudius, but, unfortunately, on this grand building only a few fragments.
Aventine
Named in honor of the king Aventine Sylvia, who reigned after Romulus.In one of the museums store maps of ancient Rome, which shows that this hill, in contrast to the others, was not yet settled.But in the days of the Republic, he was densely built up with different structures.Basically there lived the slaves and the plebeians.But in the era of the Empire began to settle in this area is rich and aristocrats.
Emperor Aurelian, who ruled in the III century, has managed just 4 years to erect a wall, which covered all the seven hills of ancient Rome.Its length was 19 km, height - 8 m, and thickness - 3.4 m. The walls had 383 towers and 18 gates.When Rome conquered the Goths, it was badly damaged and was partially dismantled.However, in the Renaissance wall was restored and, I must say that it is well preserved until today.
