Rome is one of the oldest continuing cities of the world. It is now the Capital of Italy, also of Latium, one of Italy's 19 regions. Rome is the fourth largest city in Western Europe. In the Northwest of the city is an area of 108.7 acres, forming since 1929, the independent Vatican City, residence of the Popes and the center of Roman Catholic Church.

      Rome has a very old story and very long history. Traditionally, in the regal period of Rome, the earliest settlement was made on Palatine Hill, in 753-B.C; and gradually habitation extended to other nearby hills.

      The last king of ancient Rome was expelled, and the republic was established in 510-B.C.

      There is a famous remark that Emperor Augustus (27 B.C.ِ14 A.D.) found Rome a city of brick, and left it a city of marble.

      In 330 A.D. the splendor had remained even after the capital of Roman Empire had been moved to Constantinople in Eastern Rome, and the population had also fallen to some 50,000.

      In 455 A.D. Vandals sacked Rome, and the troops of Eastern Roman (BYZANTINE), Empror Justinian recaptured the city in 552 A.D..

      Destruction of the ancient city began in 5th century A.D., when pagan temples were dismantled to furnish material for Christian Churches.

      Rome was taken by Italian troops on Sept. 20-1870, and since then the city has shared Italy's destiny. The number of its inhabitants increased, and in 1931 Rome had one million inhabitents.

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