eBook

The seven hills of Rome

Rita, Donatella de, Funiciello, Renato, Heiken, Grant

2005,2013,2007

Overview

From humble beginnings, Rome became perhaps the greatest intercontinental power in the world. Why did this historic city become so much more influential than its neighbor, nearby Latium, which was peopled by more or less the same stock? Over the years, historians, political analysts, and sociologists have discussed this question ad infinitum, without considering one underlying factor that led to the rise of Rome--the geology now hidden by the modern city. This book demonstrates the important link between the history of Rome and its geologic setting in a lively, fact-filled narrative sure to interest geology and history buffs and travelers alike. The authors point out that Rome possessed many geographic advantages over surrounding areas: proximity to a major river with access to the sea, plateaus for protection, nearby sources of building materials, and most significantly, clean drinking water from springs in the Apennines. Even the resiliency of Rome's architecture and the stability of life on its hills are underscored by the city's geologic framework. If carried along with a good city map, this book will expand the understanding of travelers who explore the eternal city's streets. Chapters are arranged geographically, based on each of the seven hills, the Tiber floodplain, ancient creeks that dissected the plateau, and ridges that rise above the right bank. As an added bonus, the last chapter consists of three field trips around the center of Rome, which can be enjoyed on foot or by using public transportation.

• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Subject: Alban Hills / Alluvium / Ancient / Apennine Mountains / Appian Way / Aqua Virgo / Archbasilica of St. John Lateran / Aurelian Walls / Aventine Hill / Basilica / Capitoline Hill / Carrara marble / Catacombs / Catacombs of San Sebastiano / Chigi (architecture) / Colosseo (Rome Metro) / Constantius II / Dominican Order / Earth Sciences / Eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 / Esquiline Hill / Etruscan civilization / Europe / Gardens of Lucullus / Geologist / Geology / Geology -- Italy -- Rome -- Guidebooks / Guidebooks / HISTORY / HISTORY / Ancient / Rome / Italian Peninsula / Italy / Janiculum / King of Rome / Lazio / Masonry / Ostia (Rome) / Palace / Palatine Hill / Palazzo Poli / Pantheon / Piazza Venezia / Pigna (rione of Rome) / Piramide (Rome Metro) / Pozzuoli / Quirinal Palace / Rieti / Roman Empire / Roman Senate / Rome / Rome (Italy) / Rome (Italy) -- Guidebooks / Santa Maria in Trastevere / SCIENCE / SCIENCE / Earth Sciences / Geology / Sediment / Sedimentary rock / Servian Wall / Seven hills of Rome / Six Hills / Spoleto / St. Peter's Basilica / Temple of Antoninus and Faustina / Temple of Cybele (Palatine) / Tiber / Torre (Serra da Estrela) / Trajan / Trajan's Column / Trastevere / Travel / Travel / Europe / Italy / Travertine / Triumphal arch / Tuff / Types of volcanic eruptions / Vatican City / Vatican Hill / Via Aurelia / Via dei Fori Imperiali / Via Nazionale (Rome) / Villa Sciarra / Viminal Hill / Vineyard / Vittorio Emanuele (Rome Metro) / Volcanic ash
• ISBN: 0691069956, 0691130388, 9780691069951, 9780691130385, 1400849373, 9781400849376