Rome

Rome (Roma) Capital of Italy, on the River Tiber, W central Italy. Founded in the 8th century BC, it was probably an Etruscan city-kingdom in the 6th century BC. The Roman Republic was founded in c.500 BC. By the 3rd century BC, Rome ruled most of Italy and began to expand overseas. In the 1st century AD, the city was transformed as successive emperors built temples, palaces, public baths, arches, and columns. It remained the capital of the Roman Empire until AD 330. In the 5th century, Rome was sacked during the Barbarian invasions, and its population (already in decline) fell rapidly. In the Middle Ages, Rome became the seat of the papacy. In 1527, it was sacked by the army of Charles V. The city began to flourish once more in the 16th and 17th centuries. Italian troops occupied it in 1870, and in 1871 it became the capital of a unified Italy. The 1922 Fascist march on Rome brought Mussolini to power, and he did much to turn Rome into a modern capital city. It is also home to the Vatican City. Industries: tourism, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, oil refining, engineering, textiles, films, printing and publishing, banking and finance. Pop. (2001) 2,656,000.

World Encyclopedia. Philip's, 2005.