Ancient
Rome 1

From the foundation to the end of the Republic (753 BC - 14 AD)

A brief history of Ancient Rome, through visits to many of the monuments that can still be found in the “Eternal City”. We’ll start with the legendary foundation of Rome, consider the archeological findings that confirm it. Next, we’ll introduce the institutions and the traditions of the Roman Republic and the interactions with the Etruscan and the Greek cultures. We’ll discuss major characters of Roman history, such as: Caesar and Augustus.
  • Ancient Greeks in Italy
  • Etruscans
  • Origins of Roman Culture
  • The Roman Republic
  • The Caesars and Imperial Rome
  • The Late Roman Empire: Transformation A New Faith: Early Christianity in Rome

Rome, Ostia Antica, Tivoli, Pompeii, Paestum

Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Temples of the Forum Boarium, Aurelian Walls, Colosseum, Baths of Caracalla, Ancient Appian Way, Mausoleums, Circus Maximus, Pantheon, Catacombs, Basilicas, Archeological Park of Ostia (including Theater, Market, temples, taverns and the Synagogue), Hadrian’s Villa, Temples of Tivoli, Archeological Park of Pompeii (including Forum, temples, private houses, taverns, amphitheater), Ancient Temples of Poseidonia-Paestum, and more!

Scene 1
The Legend of Romulus and Remus
The legend of the foundation of Rome: Romulus and Remus suckled by a she-wolf on the Palatine Hill.

Scene 2
Huts of the Palatine
The archeological point of view about the foundation of Rome: the ruins of the huts on the Palatine Hill dating from the 8th century BC.

Scene 3
Circus Maximus
The Circus Maximus, the largest racing track in ancient Rome, is one of the oldest monuments of Rome. The legend of the Rape of the Sabines and the multi-cultural origins of Rome.

Scene 4
Temple of Vesta and House of the Vestals in 360°
The Temple of Vesta, the oldest temple in Rome, the house of the Vestal Virgins and the cult of the fireplace. 
The Regia and the Seven Kings of Rome
The "regia" was the seat of the kings of Rome and later of the main religious authorities in Rome, the Rex Sacrorum and the Pontifex Maximus. The Seven Kings of Rome between myth and history, the Etruscan influence.

Scene 5
Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus
Tarquinius the Proud and the fall of the Monarchy. The Temple of the Jupiter Optimus Maximus, on the Capitoline Hill, dedicated to the Capitoline Triad.

Scene 6
Temple of Saturn
The Temple of Saturn and the Saturnalia festival.
Rampa Palatina and Roman Forum: Time Wrap
Time Warp: The Ancient Roman Forum. Starting from Domitian's "Rampa Prenestina" (a corridor connecting the Forum to the Palatine hill) and finishing in front of the Temple of Saturn.

Scene 8
Servian Walls, Arch of Dolabella, and Silanus
The Arch of Dolabella and Silanus, also known as the Caelimontana Gate. The Servian Walls (4th century BC) and the invasion of the Gauls.

Scene 9
Ancient Appian Way
The oldest Roman road (one of the oldest roads in the world), built by Appius Claudius Caecus in 312 BC. 

Ancien

Scene 10
Pons Fabricius
The Pons Fabricius is the oldest working bridge in Rome, dating from 62 BC, and connecting the Forum Boarium and the Jewish Quarter to the Tiber Island. 
Temple of Asclepius
The Temple of Asclepius, god of health, was built during a plague epidemic in the 3rd century BC. A relief representing Asclepius with a snake is still visible. 
Tiber Island: Time Warp
Time Warp: From the Tiber Island through the Pons Fabricius to the Portico di Ottavia. 
Pons Aemilius
Pons Aemilius, also known as the broken bridge, was built in 179 BC.

Scene 11
Temples of Juno, Janus, and Spes
The temples of Juno, Janus and Spes and the Punic Wars.

Scene 12
Temples of Sibilla and Tiburnus in 360°
360 Video: The Temples of Sibilla and Tiburnus in Tivoli. 
Temples of Tivoli from Above
The Temples of Sibilla and Tiburnus in Tivoli are some of the most well preserved ancient Roman temples and are located on a spectacular cliff, next to the medieval historical center of Tivoli and the wonderful waterfall of the Aniene river.

Scene 13
Temples of Portunus and Hercules in 360°
360 Video: The Temple of Portunus and Hercules. 
Temple of Hercules
The Temple of Hercules is one of the most well preserved ancient Roman temples from the Republican times. This was built right after the conquest of Greece and they was financed by the olive merchants of the nearby market.
Temple of Portunus
The Temple of Portunus one of the best preserved Roman temples, is dedicated to the god of the harbor. This were built right after the conquest of Greece and was were financed by the merchants of the nearby market. 
Mouth of the Truth
An ancient Roman manhole cover. Now, because of a mysterious legend, it is one of the most visited tourist destinations of Rome.

Scene 14
Tullianum
The main prison of Ancient Rome, also known as Mamertine Prison: here were incarcerated the defeated foreign kings, such as Vercingetorix and Jugurtha. According to the Catholic tradition, Peter and Paul were also incarcerated here.
Tabularium
The bulding were ancient Romans used to store their tablets is now the city hall of Rome.

Scene 15
Theater of Pompey the Great in 360°
The most important and oldest Roman theater in masonry, the Theater of Pompey, is now lost, but the streets of Rome kept the same shape. The history of Pompey the Great, the main rival of Julius Caesar, the crisis of the Roman Republic, the conflict between Optimates and Populares.

Scene 16
Forum of Caesar
The life of Julius Caesar, dictator perpetuus: the battle of Pharsalus, Ptolomy the 13th, Cleopatra, the civil war against Pompey. The Forum of Caesar, the temple of Venus Genitrix, Ceasar's reforms. 
Curia Iulia
The seat of the ancient Roman senate, commitioned by Caesar and finished by Augustus.

Scene 17
The Temples of Area Sacra and the Death of Julius Caesar in 360°
The Republican temples of the Area Sacra. The Curia of Pompey, the conspiracy and the death of Julius Caesar.

Scene 18
Temple of Julius Caesar
The temple of Julius Caesar in the Forum. The "deification" (worship) of leaders.

Scene 19
House of Augustus
The house of Augustus. Gaius Octavius (Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus

Augustus) and his rise to power. The frescoes of his private house.

Scene 21
Forum of Augustus
The birth of the Empire. The Forum of Augustus: the temple of Mars Ultor (the avanger), the battle of Philippi, Augustus' reforms, Augustus' cultural policy.

Scene 22
Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella
The Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella is one of the best preserved mausoleums from the late Republican age.
Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella Drone
Arial views of the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella.

Scene 23
Pyramid of Cestius
The Mausoleum of Gaius Cestius, in shape of a pyramid, is one of the most unique funerary monuments of Rome.

Scene 24
Theater of Marcellus
The Theater of Marcellus is one of the best examples of an ancient Roman theater.

Scene 25
Ancient Fish Market
An inscription from the medieval fish market located among the ancient Roman ruins.

Scene 26
Mausoleum of Augustus Drone
The Mausoleum of Augustus became the model for all the future mausoleums and is very important to understanding the relationship between art, communication and power in Ancient Rome. 
Res Gestae Divi Augusti
Augustus' autobiography, the Res Gestae Divi Augusti, are part of Augustus' plan to use art, literature and symbols in order to make the empire stronger.

Scene 27
Ara Pacis
The altar dedicated to the Augustan Peace is perfect to understand Augustus' political project, but it is also a wonderful example of the classic Roman art, thanks to its beautiful reliefs. 
Ara Pacis in 360°
360 Video: Ara Pacis, the altar dedicated to the Augustan Peace.