The origin of the city is shrouded in intrigue. One theory is that the Trojan prince Aeneas, in flight of the destruction of his mother city, founded Rome after first scorning Queen Dido of Carthage.

The rivalry with Carthage erupted with the Punic wars that saw the eventual rise of Rome to the lofty position as master of Europe, as they conquered or drove back the other wold be powers of Egypt, Greece, the Celts and the Persians. The spoils of Imperial Rome are still peppered over the City, with Egyptian obelisks still reminding the populace of the greatness that was.

The decline of the Empire saw Rome plummet into medieval obscurity, with Italy the battleground for the many new powers in Europe. The only faction which saw out this period has to be the modern symbol of Rome; the Papacy.

Today, the city is an incredible story of the evolution of Europe, with the Centro Historico a must-see for history fans.