You are all aware of the enduring heritage of Rome, an ancient city founded almost 6000 years ago by the brothers Romulus and Remus. It is also known to you that Romulus killed Remus and gave the city his own name. But do you know what this fabled city's moniker is? Rome is sometimes referred to as The City of Seven Hills. Why? Due to the fact that the Capitoline, Quirinal, Viminal, Esquiline, Caelian, and Aventine hills were the sites of this ancient city's construction. They are all central to the contemporary Italian capital. Due to centuries-long structures and developments, they now resemble land ridges rather than mountains. These hills are rich with history on each one.
Let's travel through them and go back in time.
Esquiline
The largest of the seven hills, this one gained notoriety according to tradition when Roman emperor Nero constructed his "golden house," or "domus aurea," on top of it. But the hill was primarily used by the impoverished as a landfill and a place to bury their dead before he seized it. Actually, Augustus, the first emperor of Rome, created a park known as the "Gardens of Maecenas" on this high land and intentionally selected it as the best place to be buried due to health concerns. All that was here was a prisoner's cemetery. Remarkably, the Esquiline hill was home to the Colossus (the original Colosseum), the Baths of Trojan, and the Temple of Claudius.
Palatine
Traditionally regarded as the middle hill of Rome's seven hills, it was formerly connected to Esquiline and Viminal. At just 51 metres high and spanning 25 acres, Palatine was the first hill to be inhabited by humans. A large portion of the hill has remained undiscovered due to its historical significance. All that was dug up, nevertheless, showed evidence of tombstones and homes from the Iron Age. The famed Temple of Apollo, the temples of Victory and the Great Mother, and the residences of Emperors Augustus, Tiberius, and Domitian are located there, along with the Tiber River. This hill's base is also home to the 2007 discovery of the Lupercal cave.
aventine
According to Youth Observer legend, Romulus called it quits on Palatine Hill after landing there with his brother Remus. At this point, Remus set out to find another hill, discovered Aventine, and chose to make it his home. Due to the large number of temples built upon Aventine honouring foreign deities (such the Greek goddess Diana), it is now considered a foreign hill. Asinius Pollio's library, the first library ever established in Rome, is another reason Aventine is important.
Capitoline
Capitoline, the smallest of the seven hills and the centre of Rome, is only 46 metres above sea level. The Servian Wall, the oldest wall in the city, was constructed on Capitoline. It later served as a fortification and was home to Romulus's government. It's interesting to note that the hill's name comes from "caput," or the fabled human skull that was discovered buried beneath. The hill is said to have been manicured by Michelangelo and to be replete with Renaissance buildings and artwork.
Quirinal
Quirinal, the tallest and most northern of the seven hills, is not as well-known as its sister hills. Nonetheless, it served as the residence of Numa, the second emperor of Rome, and still houses the President of Italy, who resides in Palazzo del Quirinale, also known as the Palace of Quirinal. One of the biggest palaces in the world, it was formerly the home of the pope. So far, 30 popes, 4 emperors, and 12 presidents have resided there.
Viminal
Viminal is tucked between Esquiline and Quirinal hills, it is tiny and unimportant in relation to the other hills. Nevertheless, there are traditions that claim the ancient Roman emperors used it as a place to bathe and pray. Here you can find the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla and Diocletian, as well as three famous churches: the three-story Basilica di San Clemente, the rotund Santo Stefano Rotondo, and the perched Basilica dei Santi Quattro Coronati.
Caelian
Described as a tongue-shaped hill, it is the southernmost of the seven hills, measuring two kilometres in length and 400 to 500 metres in breadth. The Servian Wall started on the Capitoline hill and extended all the way to Caelian. Caelian is low in altitude, which has always made it popular. It was therefore heavily inhabited until a fire started in 27 BC. Only members of the royal family had access to it.
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