Rome is a city shrouded in myth yet full of potent physical reminders of many historical triumphs and tragedies. Walking the citys streets today, it is easy to miss a trove of artistic and architectural gems from multiple historical eras tucked away down tiny alleys.The citys rich roster of significant monuments spanning historical ages from antiquity to modern times makes it difficult to focus on a shortlist. But here, well explore 11 monuments that tell Romes history from its rise as a Mediterranean empire in antiquity to its current role as Italys capital city.1. Romes Seven HillsPhotograph of the Palatine Hill from the Circus Maximus. Source: Wikimedia CommonsA mini geography lesson helps us understand Romes history and rise as a major power in the ancient world. Indeed, Romes history begins with its legendary seven hills: Palatine, Capitoline, Quirinal, Viminal, Esquiline, Caelian, and Aventine.According to Roman mythology, these hills were the foundation upon which the city of Rome was built. For instance, historian David Gilmour points out the Palatine is the citys mythological birthplace.Over time, the Palatine became one of the citys most prestigious neighborhoods. Indeed, it became the seat of Roman imperial palaces during the height of Imperial Rome. Today, you will find ruins like the stadio (stadium) and the Domus Flavia (imperial palace).The nearby Capitoline is home to Romes city hall and the world-renowned Capitoline Museums.While these fabled seven hills get the most attention, there are other important hills in Romes historyfor example, the Janiculum. Historian R.J.B. Bosworth points out that the Janiculum was the site of intense fighting as Italian nationalist hero Giuseppe Garibaldi battled to defend the short-lived Roman Republic during Europes revolutions of 1848-49.None of the proverbial seven hills rank as Romes highest point. While Monte Mario is Romes tallest hill, these fabled seven hills are packed with monuments and reminders of the citys history.2. Roman ForumPhotograph of the Temple of Antoninus Pius and Faustina in the Roman Forum by David Castor. Source: Wikimedia CommonsThe Roman Forum was the ancient Roman Republics social, commercial, and political nerve center. This sprawling complex of ruins is home to some of Ancient Romes most significant buildings, including the Temple of Saturn, the Arch of Septimius Severus, and the Curia Julia.The Forum remained an area of significance during the heyday of the Roman Empire. For example, it came to house important imperial temples. Emperor Antonius Pius dedicated a temple to his late deified wife, Empress Faustina. Author and photographer Steven Brooke says the Roman Senate rededicated the temple to Antoninus Pius and Faustina upon the emperors death in 161 CE.In the eleventh century, Brooke points out that the temple was converted into the church of San Lorenzo in Miranda.3. Ara Pacis AugustaePhotograph of the Ara Pacis Augustae. Source: Wikimedia CommonsAugustus solidified his authority and Romes place as the dominant Mediterranean imperial power. Commissioned by the Roman Senate in 13 BCE, the altar known as the Ara Pacis Augustae or Altar of Augustan Peace was completed in 9 BCE. The altar symbolizes the period of Romes prosperity, known as the Pax Romana.The Ara Pacis garnered much attention during Mussolinis fascist regime in the 1920s and 1930s. Indeed, as historian R.J.B. Bosworth notes, it became a centerpiece of regime propaganda linking Mussolini to the legacies of Roman emperors like Augustus. In 2006, the Ara Pacis was installed in a new purpose-built museum near the banks of the Tiber River and across from the Mausoleum of Augustus.4. The ColosseumPhotograph of the Colosseum in 2020. Source: Wikimedia CommonsEmperor Titus inaugurated Romes legendary arena, the Colosseum, in 80 CE. Construction of this nearly 2,000-year-old arena began under Titus father and predecessor, Emperor Vespasian.Although associated with the zenith of the Roman Empire, the Colosseums history reflects Romes layered past. For example, historian R.J.B. Bosworth explains that the Colosseum experienced centuries of multipurpose usage and neglect. For instance, Bosworth notes that the outer arches stored manure until the early nineteenth century.Moreover, after the collapse of the Roman Empire, the Colosseum went from hosting gladiatorial combat and other spectacles to being a quarry and a fortress for powerful Roman families.The Colosseum has long shed these less glamorous uses and is one of Italys premier tourist attractions.5. The PantheonPhotograph of the Pantheon and Piazza della Rotonda. Source: Wikimedia CommonsThe Pantheon is a marvel of ancient engineering and architecture. Its ambitious design continues to inspire architects to this day. Stephen Brooke notes that many scholars believe the Pantheon to be the best preserved ancient Roman monument. Marcus Agrippa oversaw the construction of the original temple.After the original structure was damaged by a fire, Emperor Hadrian rebuilt the Pantheon. Hadrian kept the original inscription bearing Agrippas name. Historian Christopher Kelly notes that Hadrians other famous building project in Rome, his mausoleum, later became the Castel SantAngelo.The Pantheon became a Roman Catholic church in 609 CE. It contains the tombs of two Italian monarchs and the Renaissance artist Raphael.6. Basilica of St. John in LateranPhotograph of the Exterior of the Basilica of St. John in Lateran. Source: Wikimedia CommonsThe Basilica of St. John in Lateran is the official ecclesiastical seat of the Bishop of Rome (the pope). It is the oldest and most important basilica in Rome.Initially commissioned by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century, St. John in Lateran has undergone several reconstructions and renovations over the centuries. For example, Stephen Brooke notes that the present faade dates to the eighteenth century.7. St. Peters Basilica & Vatican CityPhotograph of the Exterior of St. Peters Basilica, Vatican City in 2015. Source: Wikimedia CommonsA sovereign state since early 1929, Vatican City is the global capital of Roman Catholicism and the worlds smallest country.St. Peters Basilica is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture built on the site where St. Peter, the first pope, is believed to be buried.St. Peters was consecrated in 1626, following 120 years of construction. By this point, historian David Gilmour notes that Rome had recovered from the devastation unleashed by Holy Roman Emperor Charles Vs army in 1527.Vatican City is also home to the celebrated Vatican Museums. Initially founded by Pope Julius II in the sixteenth century, successive pontiffs enlarged the massive inventory of one of the worlds great collections of art and antiquities.8. Porta PiaPhotograph of the Porta Pia. Source: Wikimedia CommonsBuilt in the 16th century by Pope Pius IV, Porta Pia originally served as one of the historic city gates. Stephen Brooke points out that the Porta Pia was Michelangelos final architectural project completed during his illustrious career.However, the Porta Pia is also a monument of national significance in Italys history. For example, the gate is best known for its role in the citys conquest by Italian forces in 1870, which marked the end of the Papal States and the unification of Italy. Historian R.J.B. Bosworth notes that Rome became Italys capital city in 1871.9. Quirinal PalacePhotograph of the Quirinal Palace. Source: Wikimedia CommonsThe Quirinal Palace also contains evidence of many layers of Romes history. For instance, this sixteenth-century palace is the residence of the president of the Italian Republic. Before Romes unification with the Kingdom of Italy in September 1870, the Quirinal Palace was a papal residence for thirty popes.Before the monarchys fall after the Second World War, Italys royal family resided at the Quirinal Palace.Another royal residence, the nearby Villa Ada, played a significant role in fascist dictator Benito Mussolinis fall from power in July 1943. Historian Giuseppe Finaldi explains that Mussolini was arrested in the villas garden.10. The VittorianoPhotograph of the Vittoriano by Sean MacEntee, 2013. Source: Wikimedia CommonsAlso known as the Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland), the Vittoriano is a massive marble monument dedicated to Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of unified Italy.The Vittoriano symbolizes Italian unity and the kings role in the Risorgimento. As historian David Gilmour notes, the monument was inaugurated in 1911 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Italian unification.After WWI, the monumental complex was chosen as the final resting place for Italys tomb of the unknown soldier. The complex also houses Romes Risorgimento Museum.11. E.U.R.Photograph of E.U.R. in 1955 by Domenico DAfflitto. The Square Colosseum is in the center. Source: Wikimedia CommonsInitially designed in the 1930s, E.U.R. (Esposizione Universale di Roma) was intended to showcase the achievements of fascist Italy. The district was meant to be the centerpiece of a kind of work Olympics planned for 1942.However, the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 and Italys entry into that conflict in June 1940 canceled the international exhibition. At that point, few of the buildings designed for E.U.R. were completed.Nevertheless, by the 1950s, E.U.R. began to take shape as a modern and desirable suburb of Rome. Moreover, many of the areas buildings were designed according to the plans created initially during Mussolinis rule.The areas most recognizable buildings include the Square Colosseum and the Museum of Roman Civilization. Also known as the Palace of Italian Civilization, the Square Colosseum was designed as part of fascist Italys building projects to link Mussolinis regime with the past glories of the Roman Empire. Today, the building serves as the headquarters for the Italian luxury fashion house Fendi.Mussolinis regime celebrated the 2,000th anniversary of the birth of Emperor Augustus in the 1930s with a series of projects and exhibitions linking the Roman Empire to fascist Italys growing Mediterranean empire. Historian Christopher Kelly points out that the Museum of Roman Civilization was initially designed in the late 1930s as part of this propaganda campaign. The museum opened in 1952 but has been closed for renovations since 2014.References and Further ReadingBosworth, R.J.B. (2011). Whispering City: Modern Rome and its Histories. Yale University Press.Brooke, S. (2000) Views of Rome. Rizzoli.Finaldi, G. (2008). Mussolini and Italian Fascism. Pearson Longman.Gilmour, D. (2011). The Pursuit of Italy: A History of a Land, its Regions, and their Peoples. Penguin.Kelly, C. (2006). The Roman Empire: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.