Rome is the capital city of Italy and contains the enclave of Vatican City. This ancient city was the capital of the surrounding kingdom, which became a republic in 510 BC. In 31 BC, the republic became an empire ruled by an emperor. In AD 292, the emperor Diocletian divided the empire into the Eastern Roman Empire and the Western Roman Empire; the permanent division of the empire did not occur until AD 395.

Rome was sacked by barbarian invaders in AD 410, and the last emperor of the Western Roman Empire was deposed by Odoacer in AD 476. Rome was nominally part of the Eastern Roman Empire until AD 756, when Pepin the Short (King of the Franks and father of Charlemagne) created the Papal States. The Pope was given temporal jurisdiction over Rome and its surrounding territories. Rome also became the capital of the Catholic Church, even during the brief period in the early fourteenth century when the Pope relocated to Avignon.

Rome was annexed by the king of Italy in 1870, and it became the capital of Italy in 1871. The Pope lost temporal power over the Papal States, and the Church was in dispute with the Italian government until the Lateran Treaty was signed in 1929, creating Vatican City and giving full sovereignty of this state to the Holy See. Rome is also the site of four major basilicas of the Catholic Church, including St. Peter's and St. John Lateran.

More information: Catholic Encyclopedia Wikipedia Wikitravel

Maps: Google Maps WikiMapia

Virtual tour: ItalyGuides

Meet the Experts: Elizabeth Allo Iischei (Rome and Africa) Rita A. Scotti (Rome) Robert Louis Wilken (The Church and Rome)

SEND US YOUR COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS