Rome episode 1: A History of the Eternal City – Rome, the Eternal City, is not just a collection of impressive ruins and tales of grandeur; it is, at its core, a city steeped in the sacred. In the very heart of ancient Rome, every event, ritual, and act of daily life was bound together by an intricate web of religious belief. To understand ancient Rome, one must understand its reverence for the divine, for the gods were at the very center of its existence. From the mythical origins of Rome to the divine worship of its emperors, religion wasn’t merely a practice—it was the lifeblood of the Roman identity.
Simon Sebag Montefiore, in the first episode of “Rome: A History of the Eternal City,” invites us on a journey through the fascinating layers of Rome’s sacred history. He paints a vivid picture of a city that worshipped not only in grand temples but in everyday moments. Every brick, every street, every canal carried the weight of devotion. This was a place where sacredness wasn’t confined to marble pillars and frescoes—even something as mundane as the sewer was imbued with sanctity.
It all begins with the foundation myth—a story we may recognize, but whose power shaped the very soul of Rome. According to the legend, Romulus and Remus, twin brothers raised by a she-wolf, were the chosen founders of this great city. Their story, like the city they gave life to, was steeped in omens, sacrifices, and divine favor.
As Romulus carved out the boundaries of the new city, he did so under the watchful eyes of the gods. He sought approval and asked for protection, and in doing so, the city of Rome was born not only in blood but in sacred promise. Every step of Rome’s growth, from its first stone to the monumental architecture that came to define it, was overseen by the pantheon of Roman gods.
Religion was far more than a weekly obligation—it was a binding force, connecting all Romans to their city and to each other. In Montefiore’s exploration, we learn that ancient Rome didn’t merely tolerate religious rituals; it celebrated and depended upon them. The pantheon was always watching, and each Roman, from the lowliest plebeian to the mightiest emperor, had to play their part in maintaining the favor of these deities. It was everyone’s responsibility to participate in the cult of the gods, to offer sacrifices, to engage in prayers, and to ensure that divine favor remained with the people and their city.
Imagine a bustling marketplace in the heart of ancient Rome—the air filled with the scents of spices, fruits, and bread fresh from the oven. Amidst the noise and commerce, the eyes of marble statues watched silently from every corner. People didn’t just buy goods or barter for services; they prayed, made offerings, and took a moment to honor the divine presence woven into their lives. It was this seamless blend of the everyday with the sacred that made Rome a city unlike any other.
Sacredness wasn’t restricted to temples and religious altars; it infiltrated every aspect of Roman life. Even the Cloaca Maxima—Rome’s ancient sewer system—was considered holy. Today, it might seem odd that a sewer could be regarded with such reverence. But in the Roman worldview, the Cloaca Maxima was a lifeline for the city, a gift from the gods to ensure the survival of its people. Keeping their city clean, managing its health, and enabling life to thrive was a sacred duty. To Romans, the gods were found not just in the heavens, but in every functioning part of their world.
The concept of deification also played a crucial role in Rome’s culture of sacredness. Roman emperors, such as Julius Caesar and Augustus, were not just leaders—they were seen as divine. Upon death, and sometimes even in life, emperors could be granted the status of a god. This wasn’t just a political tool to command loyalty; it was a profound cultural phenomenon that spoke to the way Romans understood power and divine authority.
To worship a deceased emperor was to honor the very foundation of Rome’s power. The deification process reinforced the idea that Rome was not merely a city of men but also of gods. It stood as a reminder that sacredness was not far away; it was present in the rulers themselves, living embodiments of divine will.
Montefiore’s exploration reveals that for Romans, religion was like the mortar holding their society together. It explained their past, glorified their present, and offered hope for the future. It was believed that without the favor of the gods, Rome could fall into chaos and despair. Thus, the rituals, sacrifices, and devotion to the pantheon were not seen as mere obligations—they were the very acts that secured Rome’s continued prosperity and survival.
Rome episode 1: A History of the Eternal City
It is easy today to look at the ruins of Rome and see only crumbling stones, monumental arches, and faded mosaics. But beneath those remnants lies a history pulsating with devotion. Religion was not a compartmentalized part of Roman life; it was everywhere—woven into the fabric of their very existence. Every wall, every road, every triumph carried with it a prayer, a hope, or a sacrifice.
To truly understand Rome, one must understand this interplay of power, faith, and sacred duty. Religion was the invisible current that flowed beneath the surface of the Eternal City, pushing it towards greatness. The sanctity of the city was more than just a reflection of the gods it worshipped—it was a reflection of the values of the Romans themselves. Their devotion, pride, and respect for the divine shaped not only their buildings and ceremonies but also their collective spirit.
Montefiore’s journey through Rome is a reminder that behind the grandeur of the forums, temples, and basilicas, it was the people’s belief in the sacred that kept Rome flourishing for centuries. The sacred defined what it meant to be Roman—a citizen not just of a city, but of a divine order that stood above the earthly, above the mundane. In every sacrifice, in every prayer, in every stone laid with purpose, Rome declared itself to be more than just a city; it was the sacred heart of an empire.
So, as we walk through Rome today, let us remember: we are not merely tourists traversing the ruins of an ancient civilization. We are walking on hallowed ground, a place where every brick and stone tells the story of a people who believed they were, quite literally, building in the presence of the gods. It is this spirit, captured so vividly by Montefiore, that continues to make Rome—the Eternal City—not just a destination, but a timeless testament to humanity’s search for the divine.
Conclusion Rome episode 1: A History of the Eternal City
The story of Rome is not just one of power, conquest, and stone monuments. It is, at its heart, the story of a people whose devotion to the sacred gave their city its soul. Walking through Rome today, it’s impossible not to feel the presence of something profound. Beneath the grand arches and shattered columns lies an invisible, enduring thread—a tapestry of faith, hope, and a belief that the gods watched over this city. It’s as though each ancient stone still whispers of the prayers and offerings that once breathed life into the Eternal City.
Montefiore’s exploration of Rome reveals how deeply ingrained the sacred was in every aspect of Roman life. It wasn’t just in the temples or during elaborate ceremonies; sacredness permeated even the mundane. From the bustling marketplace to the Cloaca Maxima, everything carried a touch of the divine. This blend of the everyday with the sacred made Rome unique. It was a place where the ordinary and the divine coexisted seamlessly, a city that lived not just in the material world but in a sacred dimension. The devotion of its people—to their gods, their city, and to the rituals that bound them together—created an unbreakable foundation that held Rome aloft for centuries.
As we conclude this journey through Rome’s sacred past, it becomes clear that the true greatness of Rome lay not in its military conquests or its grand architectural achievements, but in the shared spirit of its people. They believed that every action, no matter how small, played a role in maintaining the favor of the gods and securing their city’s future. This unwavering faith forged a bond between the Romans and their city, one that transcended the passage of time.
Today, when we visit Rome, we do more than observe historical artifacts—we walk through a living narrative of humanity’s enduring quest for the divine. We find ourselves surrounded by symbols of a society that dared to believe it was building a city not just for men, but for gods. And perhaps that is why Rome endures, why it still captivates the hearts of those who walk its streets. It is a reminder of the power of belief, of the sacredness in the everyday, and of the timeless quest for meaning that lies at the core of the human spirit.
FAQ Rome episode 1: A History of the Eternal City
Q: What is the main point of “Rome episode 1: A History of the Eternal City”?
A: The episode explores the central role of religion in ancient Roman life. It emphasizes how the sacred permeated every aspect of their existence, from grand temples to everyday activities. Furthermore, the episode argues that understanding Roman religion is crucial to understanding Roman history.
Q: How did religion influence the founding of Rome?
A: The episode highlights the myth of Romulus and Remus, twin brothers raised by a she-wolf. Consequently, their story establishes the city’s divine origins. Romulus sought the gods’ approval when founding Rome, solidifying the connection between the city and the divine.
Q: What role did religion play in the daily lives of Romans?
A: Religion was not merely a set of rituals but a constant presence in Roman life. For example, even the marketplace was a place of worship, with statues of gods overseeing daily transactions. Moreover, Romans believed that maintaining the gods’ favor was essential for the city’s well-being.
Q: Why was the Cloaca Maxima, Rome’s sewer system, considered sacred?
A: The Cloaca Maxima, though seemingly mundane, was viewed as a divine gift. It ensured the city’s hygiene and the survival of its people. Therefore, the Romans saw it as a sacred duty to maintain the city’s infrastructure.
Q: How did the Romans view their emperors in relation to the divine?
A: Roman emperors were often deified, either after death or even during their reign. This practice reinforced the idea that Rome was ruled by divine will. In essence, the emperors were seen as living embodiments of the sacred.