Rome travel guide — where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Rome, Lazio, Italy.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Rome.
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1
Traditional founding of Rome by Romulus on the Palatine Hill
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2
Establishment of the Roman Republic; kings expelled
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3
Punic Wars with Carthage; Rome becomes Mediterranean power
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4
Julius Caesar assassinated in the Theatre of Pompey; republic ends
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5
Augustus becomes first Roman Emperor; Pax Romana begins
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6
Destruction of Jerusalem's Temple; spoils displayed in Rome (Arch of Titus)
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7
Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheatre) inaugurated by Emperor Titus
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8
Edict of Milan; Constantine legalises Christianity across the Empire
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9
Christianity declared the state religion of the Roman Empire
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10
Visigoths sack Rome — first time in 800 years
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11
Fall of the Western Roman Empire; last emperor Romulus Augustulus deposed
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12
Donation of Pepin creates Papal States; popes rule central Italy
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13
First Christian Jubilee Year called by Pope Boniface VIII; pilgrimage tradition begins
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14
Pope Julius II begins rebuilding of St. Peter's Basilica; Michelangelo begins Sistine Chapel ceiling 1508
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15
Sack of Rome by troops of Charles V; Renaissance papacy ends
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16
St. Peter's Basilica consecrated after 120 years of construction
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17
Trevi Fountain completed by Nicola Salvi
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18
French forces occupy Rome; short-lived Roman Republic proclaimed
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19
Italian troops enter Rome through Porta Pia; Rome becomes capital of unified Italy
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20
Lateran Treaty creates Vatican City as independent state
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21
German occupation of Rome; liberation by Allied forces 4 June 1944
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22
Rome hosts the Summer Olympics; Via Appia Antica used as marathon course
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23
Catholic Jubilee Year (Anno Santo) — millions of pilgrims visit Rome
Historical sites
Places where Rome's past comes alive.
Historic
Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheatre)
Where: Piazza del Colosseo, Rome
Admission: €18 (~$20) basic; €22 (~$24) including Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Free first Sunday of month.
Historic
Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
Where: Via Sacra, Rome
Admission: Included in Colosseum ticket (€22 combined, ~$24)
Historic
Pantheon
Where: Piazza della Rotonda, Rome
Admission: €5 (~$5.50) since 2023 entry fee introduction. Booking at pantheonroma.com recommended.
Historic
Baths of Caracalla (Terme di Caracalla)
Where: Via delle Terme di Caracalla, Rome
Admission: €8 (~$8.80). Book at coopculture.it
Historic
Castel Sant'Angelo (Mausoleum of Hadrian)
Where: Lungotevere Castello, Rome
Admission: €15 (~$16.50). Book at castelsantangelo.beniculturali.it