ROME, ITALY

Rome is the capital of Italy and the see of the Pope, whose residence, the Vatican City, is a sovereign state within the city of Rome. Called the Eternal City, it is one of the world’s richest cities in history and art, and one of the greatest cultural, religious, and intellectual centres. The economy of Rome depends to a large extent on the tourist trade. The city is also a centre of banking, insurance, printing, publishing, and fashion. Rome rose from a pastoral settlement in the first millennium B. C. to what may be the world’s most successful empire, having influence over virtually the entire western world. It is the symbol of European civilization. After the fall of the Roman Empire (476A. D.), Rome was dominated by two institutions- the Papacy and the commune of Rome. Rome was desolate and in constant turmoil during the “Babylonian Captivity” of the popes at Avignon from 1309-78. In the 15^th and early 16^{th centuries}, members of the papacy became primarily interested in increasing their temporal power, in patronizing arts and letters, in beautifying the city, and in increasing the fortunes of themselves and their relatives. Rome was occupied by Napoleon in1796 and again in 1808, it was annexed to France ib1809. In 1922, following the Fascist march on Rome, Benito Mussolini came to power. Rome fell to the Allies on June 4, 1944. Roman landmarks dating back to Ancient Rome include the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, and the Castel San Angelo. Saint Peter’s Church and the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City are outstanding examples of the artistic resources of Renaissance Rome. The University of Rome, founded in1303 by Pope Boniface VIII, is one of the world’s oldest universities.