Rome 101 (Relax, There Will Be No Test)
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| Chariots raced here: Rome's sights (like Piazza Navona) are all the more impressive when you dig through the history. |
How we live today has a lot to do with what the Romans figured out (or struggled with) 2,000 years ago. And how the city's culture has evolved since then has created a fascinating place to visit. Before you go, here are a few bits of information, excerpted from Europe 101: History & Art for the Traveler and Rick Steves' Rome 2008, to help you painlessly raise your Travel I.Q.
Slideshow on Ancient Rome
Born when two orphans were taken in by a mother wolf, ancient Rome expanded to eventually conquer most of Europe, ruling for a thousand years. When Rome was overrun by barbarians, some of its grandeur lived on in the Catholic Church.
Articles on Rome
Rome's Remarkable Pantheon
A Who's Who of Roman Emperors
A Day in the Life of Ancient Rome
Rome's Jewish Legacy
Rome's Soccer Obsession