Italy has significantly contributed to the cultural and social development of the entire Mediterranean area, deeply affecting European culture as well. Important cultures and civilizations have been there since prehistoric times.
Italy has a long history, however, I am particular interested in the Roman Republic and Empire as a lot of historical legacies were built in these period. Besides, their people made profound contributions to the development of European philosophy, science, and art during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
I would like to refer to the history of Rome. In accordance with the legend, Rome was discovered in 753BC by the twin brothers, Romulus and Remus, and was then governed by Kings of Rome. The last of seven kings of Rome, Tarquinius Superbus was overthrown in 509BC and the Roman Republic was established. Julius Caesar and Augustus (as shown in the above picture) were the most famous persons in the period. The former was a Roman military and political leader. He played a critical role in the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire. The latter was the first emperor of the Roman Empire as well as the nephew of Julius Caesar.
Apart from that, the month of August (Latin: Augustus) is named after him ; till his time it was called Sextilis (named so because it had been the sixth month of the original Roman calendar and the Latin word for six was sex). Commonly-repeated lore is that August has 31 days because Augustus wanted his month to match the length of Julius Caesar's July, however, this is an invention of the 13th century English scholar Johannes de Sacrobosco. Sextilis in reality had 31 days before it was renamed, and it was not chosen for its length. Sextilis was renamed to cherish the memory of Augustus as several of the most significant events in his rise to power.
After all, I hope you enjoy reading the above history and you can read it more on this web : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Italy_during_Roman_times
Wikipedia (2008).History of Italy, 21,Aug,08. Retrieved from
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Italy
3 comments:
You said in your previous blog that you hope it's not boring for your readers. I've been to few places in Europe but haven't been to Italy as yet so reading the history you have here is very interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing your pictures of Rome and Florence! and to see your impressions
of places you visited.
I like your hyperlinks-when I wanted to read more there it was! Thanks for that.
I have always had a passion about Italy, probably as much passion as Italians have for everything around them, and the Colosseum is one of the places that I would most like to visit. Every time when I see photos of the ruins of the Colosseum, I picture in my mind how it would have used to be like during the ancient days, before parts of the wall had collapsed. Looking at the video clip with people walking inside it actually makes it look a lot bigger than how you see it from the outside. Your blog is not at all boring, the pictures of the sites you have been to draws attention and eagerness to look at your introductions to these fascinating places! Now that I have a better understanding of Italy by reading your blog, I feel even more urged to visit this country as soon as I can.
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