Palatine Hill

The Palatine Hill (Latin Palatium) is the centermost of the seven hills of Rome and is one of the most ancient parts of the city of Rome in Italy.

Related Topics:
Seven hills of Rome - Rome - Italy

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Legend tells us that Rome has its origins on the Palatine. Indeed, recent excavations show that people lived there since approximately 1000 BC. According to Roman mythology, the Palatine hill was where Romulus and Remus were found by the she-wolf that kept them alive. According to this legend, the shepherd Faustulus found the infants and, with his wife, Acca Larentia, raised the children. When they were older this is where Romulus decided to build Rome. (See Founding of Rome for a more detailed account of the myth.)

Related Topics:
Roman mythology - Romulus and Remus - Faustulus - Acca Larentia - Founding of Rome

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Many affluent Romans of the Republican time had their residences there.

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Later emperors of Rome took most of the space for their palaces.

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The ruins of the palaces of Caesar Augustus, Tiberius and Diocletianus can still be seen. The term 'palace' itself stems from Palatium.

Related Topics:
Caesar Augustus - Tiberius - Diocletianus

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Palatine hill is some 70 meters high and looks down on one side upon the Forum Romanum and on the other side upon the Circus Maximus. The site is now a large open-air museum and can be visited during day time. The entrance can be found near the Arch of Titus on the Forum Romanum.

Related Topics:
Forum Romanum - Circus Maximus - Arch of Titus

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