Have you ever heard of the seven hills of Rome? That is not a rhetorical question! The ancient city began on the Palatine Hill and spread to the neighboring six hills. Why the Palatine Hill? Well, that’s a good question that harkens back to the myth describing the founding of the city.
Our version of the story takes place around 750 B.C. when Rhea Silvia, a vestal virgin and daughter of King Numitor, was visited in a garden by the God Mars. She later gave birth to twin boys named Romulus and Remus. As a result of their parentage the boys were demigods who had descended from Latin nobility. King Amulius saw the boys as a threat to his rule and ordered them to be executed. They were taken to the banks of the River Tiber and left to die. The god of the river, Tiberinus, saved them. He enlisted the help of a she-wolf to suckle them.
(An iconic image found throughout Roman society)
Sometime later they were adopted by a shepherd named Fautulus. Unaware of their true identifies they grew up tending flocks and living as ordinary shepherds. Eventually their natural abilities were recognized and they became community leaders.
Soon after they decided to create a new city. They disagreed where it should be built. Romulus favored the Palatine Hill; Remus favored the Aventine. They decided that they would let the gods decide through a contest based on augury (the flights of birds). Each retired to their respective hills and watched for birds. Remus saw six birds and Romulus saw 12. Romulus claimed victory. Remus disputed his claim saying that he saw six birds before Romulus saw any. Their dispute continued until Romulus killed his brother and founded Rome on the Palatine Hill. Eventually the communities on the other six hills joined with Romulus and the ancient city of Rome had seven hills.
There are many different versions of the story of Romulus and Remus. Here is another one that I like.
The original seven hills are still part of daily life in modern Rome. Here is a listing of the seven hills and the major attractions of each in present day Rome. It goes without saying but I’ll say it anyway: we’ve been on all seven!
- The Palatine Hill. The Palatine was where the ancient Roman forum was built. Today that hill is mostly ruins and is a popular tourist spot.
- The Capitoline Hill. At the top of the hill, accessed via a stairway designed by Michaelangelo, sits the Capitoline Museum.
- The Quirinal Hill. Many later day nobility and Popes lived in this area. You will find the Palazzo Barberini there.
- The Viminal Hill. This hilltop is dominated by Termini Station – the main railroad station in Rome.
- The Esquiline Hill. The Basilica of St Mary Major sits at the apex of this hill.
- The Caelian Hill. This is where you will find the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla.
- The Aventine Hill. Atop this hill is a lovely park with orange trees that has beautiful panoramic views of the city. It also contains several churches including The Basilica di Santa Sabina all’Aventino and The Basilica S.S. Bonifacio e Alessio.
So there you have it. Need some exercise? Then I heartily recommend walking the seven hills of Rome. It’s an experience you’ll never forget.