The Palatine Hill is one of the Seven Hills of Rome upon which the city of Rome stands. It is the most ancient part of Rome, and the most central in terms of the geographic are of the city. As one of the most ancient parts of Rome, it is considered to be the birthplace of the Roman civilization.
History
The Palatine Hill has a long and varied history which combines historical fact and myths and tales. According to legend, the brothers Romulus and Remus are said to have founded the city of Rome on the Palatine Hill in 753 BC.
In reality, the history of the Palatine Hill is not quite so clear-cut. It is known that the hill was inhabited as early as the 9th century BC, and there is evidence of a settlement there in the 8th century BC. The hill was likely settled by the Etruscans, an ancient civilization that flourished in central Italy before the rise of Rome. The Etruscans built a fortress on the hill, which was later taken over by the Romans.
During the Roman Republic, the Palatine Hill was a fashionable residential area for the wealthy and powerful members of Roman society. Many patrician families built grand houses on the hill, including the famous House of Augustus - home of Augustus, the first emperor of Rome.
The Palatine Hill continued to be an important site during the Roman Empire. Emperor Nero built a palace on the hill, the Domus Transitoria, which was destroyed in the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD. It was rebuilt even larger, and the site later became the palace of EmperorDomitian. Other Roman emperors, such as Tiberius for example, also had palaces situated on the Palatine Hill.
Significance
The structures on the Palatine Hill are considered some of the best-preserved ancient Roman buildings in the world. Aside from these structures themselves, which are of major interest to historians and tourists alike, various old and new buildings contain within them many ancient frescoes and mosaics, as well as sculptures and other Roman works of art.
Some of these buildings are listed below:
The Palatine Museum
The Palatine Museum is, unsurprisingly, located on the Palatine Hill, and contains many artifacts and works of art from the ancient Roman period. The museum was first established in the 19th century and has been expanded and renovated several times since then.
The museum's collection includes frescoes, mosaics, sculptures and other artifacts that were discovered on the Palatine Hill and in the surrounding area. These artifacts provide a glimpse into the lives of the ancient Romans who lived on the hill, and the art and culture of the period.
The Stadium of Domitian
The Stadium of Domitian, also known as the Circus Agonalis, is an ancient Roman stadium located to the north of the Campus Martius. The stadium was built by Emperor Domitian in the 1st century AD and was used for athletic events and possibly also for gladiatorial contests.
It is considered one of the oldest and best-preserved stadiums in Rome. The stadium's seating area could hold around 15,000 people, and it also had covered sections for the Imperial family and officials. It is believed that the stadium was also used for religious ceremonies and other public events.
The Palatine Gardens
The Palatine Gardens, also known as the Gardens of Farnese upon the Palatine, offer visitors a peaceful oasis in the middle of the city, although little remains of their former grandeur. The gardens were established in the 16th century by Cardinal Alessandro Farnese and were designed to resemble the gardens of ancient Rome.
Related External Link:
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The Circus Maximus
The Circus Maximus was the largest ancient stadium in Rome, and was used for chariot races and other sporting events. The stadium was built in the 6th century BC and could hold a huge number of spectators, estimated to be about 150,000 people, although some historians have estimated that it could have held even more!
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The Roman Forum
The Roman Forum was the center of political and social life in ancient Rome and is home to many ancient Roman ruins, including the Temple of Saturn and the Arch of Septimius Severus.
The Forum was first established in the 7th century BC and was used for public meetings, legal proceedings and marketplaces. It was also the site of many important religious and political buildings, including the Temple of Jupiter and the Curia, which was the meeting place of the Roman Senate.
Today, it is extremely popular with tourists from all over the world who come to marvel at the ruins of what is left of these spectacular ancient structures.
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The Colosseum
The Colosseum is an iconic ancient Roman amphitheater located near the Palatine Hill. One of the most impressive structures of the ancient world, it was used for gladiatorial contests and other public events. The Colosseum was built in the 1st century AD and could hold around 50,000 people.
It was an important part of Roman culture and was a popular destination for citizens of Rome, just as it is an unmissable destination for tourists who travel to Rome today to visit the awe-inspiring sights of the city!
The Colosseum is considered one of the most important ancient Roman monuments in Rome and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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