WHY IS ROME CALLED THE ETERNAL CITY?

When the topic of Rome comes up, I often may get asked where the nickname ‘The Eternal City’ comes from. And no, it is modern marketing, unless you call a phrase that is roughly 2,000 years old modern. It was coined by Roman poets who believed their city would never fall. It would remain, eternal.

THE NAME COMES FROM ANCIENT POETS

The title traces back to writers like Tibullus and later Virgil. They described Roma Aeterna as a city destined to exist forever. The idea took hold because Rome kept surviving while multiple rivals it faced would fall. It has outlasted the fall of its own empire in 476 AD. It also survived sacks by the Visigoths and Vandals and has remained inhabited for roughly 2,800 years.

THE CITY GIVES MULTIPLE LAYERS OF HISTORY

Walking the city makes the nickname obvious in a way no history book can. You can stand in the Roman Forum from ancient times, cross the street, and enter a church from the Medieval times. Turn the corner into a Renaissance piazza, then end the day at a restaurant only three centuries old. Compared to Rome, it’s brand new. History sits layered within of itself, visible all at once.

A SPIRITUAL CAPITAL ADDS TO THE PERMANENCE

Rome’s religious weight reinforces the idea further. As the seat of the Roman Catholic Church and home to Vatican City, it has functioned as a spiritual capital for not one but two millennia. Popes, emperors, and governments have all changed, but Rome itself never stopped being Rome. With its own history layered in, Vatican City enjoys that extra level of “Eternal” in a more spiritual sense to this already historic city.

The Answer to the Question:

Ancient Roman poets first called Rome ‘Eternal’ nearly 2,000 years ago. The name stuck because Rome has survived the fall of empires and centuries of change while staying continuously inhabited. A city worth exploring each and every time you visit will lead to more discoveries. From Ancient times to the Renaissance and beyond, Rome stays one thing. Eternal.

Additional Resources:

We hope you are inspired to finally fulfill your travel desires and visit the Eternal City! Learn more about Rome and enjoy exploring what this city has to offer. Need more travel inspiration? Read “Why Is London Always Cloudy“ on our blog. Feel ready to have your bespoke luxury trip to Rome? Reach out to us at CARTE ATLAS Today! We hope you enjoy the benefits of travel on your next trip and the many more to come!