2. Ancient Rome dominated Europe for over 700 years, stretching from Syria to Scotland
The Roman Empire lasted for about 500 years, from its founding in 27 BC to its fall in AD 476. When you consider the earlier period of the Roman Republic, Rome’s history as a significant global power lasts over 1,000 years.
Throughout its history, there were about 70 Roman Emperors, depending on how one defines an emperor, given the power sharing and co-Emperors over Roman history.
One of the most chaotic years in Roman history was AD 69, known as the “Year of the Four Emperors.” In that year, four rulers—Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian—each claimed the throne.
3. Vatican City is an independent city-state located within Rome and the spiritual center for Catholics worldwide
![Picture shows St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City from above. It captures the architecture and visitors of the place. Fun facts about Rome is that Vatican City lays within Rome.]()
St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City.
Vatican City is the residence of the Pope, the leader of the Catholic Church. It is the world’s smallest independent state by both area and population. Despite its small size, Vatican City has its own army, the Swiss Guard, as well as its own currency and postal system. Many Italians find it far more functional that their own postal system.
The Vatican Museums house a large collection of artworks and artifacts, including the Sistine Chapel, famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling. St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church ever built, attracts millions of tourists and pilgrims each year.
A notable feature is the Passetto di Borgo, a secret passage that connects Vatican City to Castel Sant’Angelo. This passage was built to protect the Pope during times of danger.
4. Modern Italy was founded in 1871 when the Kingdom of Italy was established
Modern Italy was founded in 1861 when the Kingdom of Italy was established. Rome became the capital city of the unified Kingdom of Italy in 1871, replacing Florence. It later became the capital of the Italian Republic in 1946.
![A tranquil courtyard surrounded by weathered buildings with faded walls and wooden shutters, bathed in morning light.]()
Take a stroll through Rome’s historical streets.
Before unification in 1861, Italy was divided into separate kingdoms and regions, each with its own rulers. After unification, Rome remained under Papal control until 1870, when the Italian army seized Rome from the Pope.
Extra Fact: Rome was the first city to reach a population of 1 million during the Roman Empire.
>> LEARN MORE: 22 Fun Facts About Italy
5. Julius Caesar was embarrassed by his baldness, and so made it illegal for anyone to look down on him from above
Julius Caesar was a powerful general and dictator, but he was not an emperor.
Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar in 45 BC, reforming the old Roman calendar by adding a leap year and standardizing the months. This calendar influenced the system we use today. The months of July and August are named after Julius Caesar and Augustus Caesar, respectively.
After his death, Caesar was deified and his name became associated with the title of emperor.
![The Colosseum in Rome with its iconic arches illuminated by the golden glow of the setting sun, as people walk below.]()
The Colosseum hosted a lot of events.
6. Roman gladiators in the Colosseum rarely fought to the death
The Roman Colosseum served as a grand venue for various events, including gladiator battles, hunts of wild animals, naval battles and public executions. These spectacles entertained the masses and showcased the power of ancient Rome.
Roman gladiators were often enslaved individuals, though some were free men who chose this path for fame and fortune. Contrary to popular belief, gladiators rarely fought to the death. Many battles followed specific rules, as it was more beneficial for owners to keep their skilled fighters alive for future contests.
>> LEARN MORE: 29 Famous Building in Italy to Visit Right Now
7. Ancient Romans used a communal sponge on a stick instead of toilet paper
In ancient Rome, communal wiping was a common practice in the capital city. Rome featured over 140 public baths, which served as places for both washing and socializing. To clean (down there), Romans used a shared sponge on a stick, called a tersorium, soaked in vinegar or salt water.
Bonus Fun Fact about Rome: In lieu of showers, Romans cleansed themselves by applying oil and to their skin. Then, they scraped it off with a tool called a strigil.
8. When visiting Rome, you can see the world’s first ever shopping mall
Trajan’s Market was built by the ancient Roman Emperor Trajan between 107 and 110 AD. The mall is the world’s first shopping mall.
![Bronze statue of Emperor Trajan standing tall, set against the backdrop of ancient Roman ruins under a clear blue sky.]()
Statue of the Emperor Trajan on the Street of Imperial Forums with Trajan’s Market houses in the back.
This complex featured multiple levels and housed over 150 shops and offices. The market offered a diverse array of goods, from fresh produce to luxury items, serving as a major hub for both locals and visitors.
9. Rome has over 2,000 fountains, including the famous Trevi Fountain and the Fountain of the Four Rivers
The Trevi Fountain is one of Rome’s most beloved tourist attractions. Each year, visitors toss nearly $1.5 million USD in coins into the fountain, following the tradition of ensuring their return to the Rome.
The coins collected by the Trevi Fountain are donated to a Catholic charity, providing support to those in need.
![The Trevi Fountain, with its baroque design, showcases Neptune surrounded by sea creatures. Its intricate sculptures and flowing water create a mesmerizing scene.]()
Rome’s famous Trevi Fountain.
Extra fact: Most of the fountains in Rome are public drinking fountains called “nasoni” (meaning “big noses”), which offer free, fresh water to residents and visitors alike throughout the city.
10. Latin was the language of Ancient Rome
The native language of the Ancient Romans was Latin. As the Roman Empire expanded, Latin spread across Europe and influenced the Romance languages, including Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese and Romanian.
Latin is no longer spoken as a native language. However, it has left a lasting impact on English and many other languages, contributing to vocabulary and grammar. Today, Latin is still used in areas like law, medicine and science.
11. Don’t spill the salt; Ancient Romans were superstitious
The Ancient Romans were known for their strong superstitions. Spilling salt was viewed as a sign of bad luck and left-handed people were considered unlucky. The Latin word for left “sinister” even evolved to carry negative connotations in many modern languages.
Other superstitions that reflected the Romans’ emphasis on luck and fate included:
- Don’t pick up fallen Food: Food that fell from the table was believed to belong to the afterlife, so it should not be picked up.
- Lucky Charms: Romans frequently carried amulets or charms to ensure protection and good fortune.
- Horseshoes for luck: Hanging horseshoes was thought to bring good luck and shield against evil spirits.
- Don’t ever get married in May: Romans avoided May for weddings, as it was dedicated to the dead and considered an inauspicious month for new beginnings.
- Listen to the birds: The practice of augury involved interpreting the will of the gods by observing birds’ behavior, with their flight patterns and types determining positive or negative omens that influenced major decisions.
- Beware of that doorway: Doorways were regarded as sacred thresholds guarded by protective spirits known as Lares. Romans would touch the doorpost and offer a brief prayer or gesture of respect to maintain a harmonious relationship with these spirits.
- Don’t whistle in the house: Whistling indoors was believed to invite malevolent spirits into the home, as such sounds could disrupt the sanctity and protection of the household.
>> LEARN MORE: 21 Italian Superstitions You Should Know To Avoid The Evil Eye
12. The Cloaca Maxima was the world’s first complex sewer system
The Cloaca Maxima was the world’s first complex sewer system. It was made in the 6th century BC and helped to drain the Roman Forum and improve sanitation in ancient Rome.
13. Romans washed clothes with urine
The Romans washed their clothes with urine, relying on urine as a cleaning agent due to its ammonia content long before the invention of soap.
The laundries that offered these services were known as fullonicae. They collected urine from public urinals as a primary cleaning source and even paid taxes on the urine they gathered.
14. The Spanish Steps are not Spanish
