Today is the date of Rome's foundation, 2777th since Rome was founded. What does Rome mean to you?

[Julie4]

[nightdrot]

Not sure what the question is asking.

Currently Rome is the capital and largest city of Italy, the world's 9th largest economy and still an important European power. Interestingly, it is the only city - capital or otherwise - to surround the territory of another sovereign country within its' own borders, i. e the State of Vatican City. It is also the site of the treaty which formed what has become the European Union, for good or ill.

Historically, of course, Rome was the center of one of the greatest empires in human history. Not just a significant accomplishment in its' own right, but it facilitated the foundation and became the vehicle for what it today called Western civilization.

In that sense, Rome brings to mind not just history, but culture and the arts, Also law and the rule of law built on the foundations of respect for the human being as an individual and the body of rights and liberties that accrue to the human being in most of the world.

Also, in following the history of Rome and the Roman Empire, one can view in microcosm, so to speak, the span of human nature and its' follies and thus it becomes a source of wisdom and knowledge. Though in fairness that might be said of other cities and communities around the globe. Rome being more notable that, given its' size and importance at the height of its' power, it is easier to study.

Not sure that answers the question - and obviously volumes of books have been written on the subject of Rome. However, what I have attempted to do above is more or less a brief summation of what Rome's history means.

[RavVid]

Rome is so many things. I morn Rome. I can scarcely bring myself to watch anything on the Fall of Rome and if I do, I divert to Eastern Roman Empire and console myself with another 1000 years of Roman history.

The late Republic and Early Empire are my preferred periods. There is no doubt the segmentata armor is the most iconic symbol of Rome and has to come into everyone's mind.

But so many areas in which Rome excelled. Much of European history has been getting to the same level of what the Romans could do and it wasn't till the late 1800's till we had surpassed them in everything.

[purplepoppy]

Even though it's now just a city if you say "Rome" it's the empire that springs to mind and it's lasting legacy you see all around

[RavVid]

You are fortunate in having roads and structures that were once Roman to look at.

[abc3643]

It's wear Griffiss Air Force Base was. The USAF's Rome Air Development Center was the USAF's center for research in reliability and maintainability. 35 years ago, I was very interested in this subject and it helped me focus on what I wanted to do a PhD on.

[abc3643]

*where not wear

[Flatmanlewis]

Rome was a microcosm of all of human history in one single empire. Every aspect of the modern human experience can find a parallel comparison within the stories of the Roman Empire. That’s where my mind goes when it thinks of Rome.


The current city is nothing more than another dirty metropolis with a massive amount of history imbedded in it.

[NathanDavis]

language...

what do you think about Catalá... I do think it's the most beautiful language on earth

the perfect mix of Spanish and French... (and some Portuguese)

https://www.youtube.com/embed/8U3TSWtn5kU

[AviatorTom]

A squadron of nuclear-equipped B52 bombers used to be stationed at a military base in Rome New York State. Being the closest to Russia, they would have been the first bombers to attack the USSR during the Cold War. Their need ended when the USSR collapsed, and they are no longer based on Rome, though the airport is still there.

[purplepoppy]

Back in November, you lot flew a B1 lancer bomber low over here at midnight scaring the shit out of people and my sheep. Apparently America is sending over more in May. Perhaps the cold War isn't so cold anymore.

[Flatmanlewis]

The Cold War, as defined by the struggle between Communism & Capitalism vis-a-vis the Soviet Union and The US, is certainly over. Any belief that means the United States and particularly NATO is not still involved in a state of conflict with Russia is wishful thinking. The tension buildup between the two powers and the proxy wars are not that different than they were before. The only check to Russian behavior has been the US for some time now and as China starts to wake from its long sleep we will be drawn into the Pacific further emboldening Russia. The potential for a European war is no longer a non-existent concept.

[Staximus]

@purplepoppy you're lucky, they used to be twice as fast

[ZackBan]

It's a turning point in human history.
(One of them at least)

Romans are responsible for a lot of good and a lot of bad but what they did was nothing short of impressive

[Mettbltt]

a civilization rather than an empire
Many states throughout history have tried to see themselves as the heirs of Rome.
The legacies it left after its collapse have changed the modern world.

[loveslongnails]

It was a civilization like any other - a lot of greatness and a lot of decadence. Today, Rome is a nice place to visit for a few days and get out of.

[DrPepper12]

Eurocentric history. Classical era China and India were much more advanced, especially Han Dynasty china

[RHK36]

Ancient. Reminds me that all empires are doomed to fail because once again, man let ego get in the way of evolution.

[AlexEfron]

Reminds me of the story of Romulus and Remus and Pompeii 😅 whatever I learnt back in school days

[Iron_Man]

Rome represents everything from the Bible to all the fights in the Colosseum and I’ve actually been there in person

[KostasKouvalis]

A first world city, with third world people

[OtterMan68]

Republic which fell into a dictatorship at the hands of a charismatic, vain ruthless ruler

[Jennz6]

Only you would know that lol