#urbs aeterna

📍Musei Capitolini, Roma

H.J. Rose, A Handbook of Latin Literature

Urbs Aeterna (Eternal City) The term "Urbs Aeterna" was used for the first time by the Emperor Hadrian, he, in a philosophical reflection, said that touring to the Empire he had visited many cities that had once been great, and who were now in ruins and these no longer meant anything to the human race, so the Emperor Hadrian had set out to avoid this fate for Rome: each new city would be born in the image of Rome, taking up the style, the laws and the thought, like a plant that spreads its seeds, Rome will live forever and will be an eternal city. Rome, the eternal city, however, now takes also on a different meanings: first of all has traces of almost all periods of history, from Roman times up to fascism, so walking through Rome you can find yourself catapulted into another historical era only by turning the corner; the second reason is that Rome has always risen from its ashes, in fact in Rome there is a priceless archaeological heritage, many neighborhoods are located above the old ruins, the city has been rebuilt several times and it's always reborn; and the third reason is linked to the presence of the Vatican, in fact, as the capital of the Christian Catholic religion is eternal because it's the place where you express the presence of God.