Seven Hills of Rome form this historical city which has been the seat of opulence, grandeur, brilliance and political supremacy. The Rome seven hills are grouped into the Eastern and Western halves. The Eastern hills consist of the Quirinal, Viminal, Esquiline and Caelian hills, while the Capitoline, Palatine and Aventine Hills form the Western half. All these hills were separated by marshy lands, and each one of them had a walled city.
The Eastern group of 4 hills are basically on an ancient volcanic ridge. Of all the seven hills Esquiline is the largest and Viminal the lowest. Very briefly the seven Roman hills are:
- The Esquiline – The largest of the seven hills, Esquiline is famous for The Colossus, Baths of Trajan, Emperor Nero's golden house and the Temple of Claudius. The eastern flank of this hill was used as a dumping ground and a burial pit for the poor. Augustus Caesar had the pit covered with soil to build the Garden of Maecanas.
- The Palatine – This hill is famous as the 'hill of Romulus', one of the founders of ancient Rome. During the time of Augustus Caesar the powerful and the rich dwelled on this hill. Augustus Caesar too built his residence on this hill. The Temples of Apollo, the Great Mother, and Victory are located on Palatine hill.
- The Aventine – Remus the other founder of ancient Rome, built his house on the Aventine, which also became the settlement of the
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commoners. The temples of Diana, Liberia, and Ceres are situated on this hill. The Armilustrium, used for purifying arms before a battle, and Asinius Pollio's library are also located on Aventine.
- The Capitoline - Smallest of all the seven hills, Capitoline having dimensions of 460 meters length and 180 meters breadth has earned its name from 'caput' meaning human skull that were discovered here. Many fortresses were constructed on this hill. The Capitoline is the location of the temples of Jupiter (Iovis Optimi Maximi), Juno Moneta and Concorde. The assassins of Julius Caesar hid themselves in the Iovi Optimi Maximi after murdering Caesar.
- The Quirinal – The northernmost of the seven Roman hills, Quirinal was occupied by the Sabines. Since 8th century B.C Numa, the second Roman king lived on this hill.
- The Viminalis – Viminalis is the lowest of all the seven hills. Caracalla's temple was located on this hill.
- The Caelian - This hill was the abode of the Roman aristocrats. Stretching for about 2 km and having a width of about 500 m, this south-easterly hill housed the Baths of Caracalla.
The Seven Hills of Rome have been of immense interest to tourists and historians alike. Excavation in these hills have testified the existence of a vibrant and advanced civilization in this area before the birth of Christ.
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