The Seven Hills Of Ancient Rome Explained

While it's impossible to be precise about the beginning of the Roman Empire, there is textual evidence of the important role of the seven hills in the founding of Rome. According to Marcel Le Glay in "A History of Rome," there are two main textual sources for the origins of Rome — Greek and Latin authors. The Greek authors place the founding of Rome in what would be the 12th century B.C.E., whereas Latin authors instead date it to 754-753 B.C.E.

When writing about the founding of Rome, the Latin authors, like Fabius Pictor, wrote about the tale of twins Romulus and Remus, who were nursed by a mythical she-wolf creature (pictured above). Authors traditionally ascribe the founding of Rome to Romulus, who is said to have "founded a city on a hill."

As Italy Magazine explains, the hill Romulus founded Rome on was one of the seven hills: Palatine Hill. The other seven hills — Capitoline, Quirinal, Viminal, Esquiline, Caelian, and Aventine — were also the site of proto-Roman settlements. Initially, they were completely separate territories ruled by separate leaders. However, over time, they gradually coalesced together to form what would become Rome. The seven hills truly laid the foundation for Rome, and they were often the site of important monuments and buildings during the Roman Empire.

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