Uncovering Some Historical Myths of Rome

When staying in a design hotel in Rome you are in one of the world’s most famous and historic cities. Yet many people carry some oddly inaccurate ideas about the Italian capital's origins with them. Here some of those are examined and corrected.

The city was built by Romulus and Remus

This is a myth the ancient Romans themselves believed in, but there is no evidence whatsoever for that. The archaeological evidence indicates that tribes, who later came together into an alliance that eventually crystalized into the city, may have fortified the original hills. What is clear is that the very early city or collection of villages fell under the domination of a people called the Etruscans – whom the Romans eventually overthrew and drove out of the city.

Julius Caesar built most of the city

No, he did not. The city you see today is largely a creation of the middle ages onwards, with the majority being of 18th, 19th and 20th century origin. Of course, there are still extensive Roman remains of the classic period, including such legendary landmarks as the Coliseum and Forum. Even so, Julius Caesar would have had little to do with many of them.

In fact, Caesar’s successor (after the civil wars) Octavian liked to say he found this a city of wood and left it one of marble. That suggests he thought he’d done far more for he permanent architecture than Julius Caesar ever had.

Ancient Rome was burned to the ground while Nero fiddled

This is a complete myth as far as we know – and one spread by Nero’s enemies after his death. There was a huge fire in the city during his time, but he seems to have played a major part in trying to control it and eventually re-build the city after the worst had been contained. There is no evidence he started it or was indifferent to its effects.

The city was never conquered

Yes, it was – and several times. The ancient Gauls or Gallic tribes certainly did so in ancient history – at least apart from one small area. It also fell again to invading tribes in the 5th century AD/CE.

Claudius was a kind and scholarly emperor

Sadly, there is no evidence at all for such a suggestion. Claudius could, as far as we know, be just as ruthless as any other ruler of the period. Much of what is currently ‘believed’ about Claudius today in fact comes from the stunning fictional work “I Claudius”; but it is fiction based around loose historical fact rather than a statement of actual events of the time.

There is no better way of discovering more of the reality of the Eternal City's history for yourself than to take a break in a design hotel in Rome and to get to know it first hand.

Looking for a great hotel in Rome? Roberta Stuart is the Travel Manager for Worldhotels, a company offering top class accommodation in a design hotel in Rome, as well as a selection of unique four and five star hotels around the world.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.