harold j. rome

Rome definition

Capital of Italy, largest city in the country, and seat of the Roman Catholic Church (see Vatican City State; see also Vatican), located on the Tiber River in west-central Italy. Rome is one of the world's great centers of history, art, architecture, and religion.

Note: Rome was the capital of the Roman Republic (fourth century to first century b.c.) and the Roman Empire (first century b.c. to fifth century a.d.), whose domains, at their height, spread from Great Britain to present-day Iran and included all the lands surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.

Note: In a.d. 800, Rome again became associated with imperial power when Charlemagne was crowned there as the first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.

Note: Rome was proclaimed capital of Italy in 1871, after Italian forces took control of the city from the pope.

Note: It is called the “Eternal City.”

Note: “All roads lead to Rome” is a well-known proverb.

Note: Ancient Rome is often referred to as the “City of Seven Hills” because it was built on seven hills surrounded by a line of fortifications.

Note: Its landmarks include the Colosseum, the Appian Way, the Pantheon, the Forum, the Arch of Constantine, and Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.

Rome definition

the most celebrated city in the world at the time of Christ. It is said to have been founded B.C. 753. When the New Testament was written, Rome was enriched and adorned with the spoils of the world, and contained a population estimated at 1,200,000, of which the half were slaves, and including representatives of nearly every nation then known. It was distinguished for its wealth and luxury and profligacy. The empire of which it was the capital had then reached its greatest prosperity. On the day of Pentecost there were in Jerusalem "strangers from Rome," who doubtless carried with them back to Rome tidings of that great day, and were instrumental in founding the church there. Paul was brought to this city a prisoner, where he remained for two years (Acts 28:30, 31) "in his own hired house." While here, Paul wrote his epistles to the Philippians, to the Ephesians, to the Colossians, to Philemon, and probably also to the Hebrews. He had during these years for companions Luke and Aristarchus (Acts 27:2), Timothy (Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:1), Tychicus (Eph. 6: 21), Epaphroditus (Phil. 4:18), and John Mark (Col. 4:10). (See PAUL.) Beneath this city are extensive galleries, called "catacombs," which were used from about the time of the apostles (one of the inscriptions found in them bears the date A.D. 71) for some three hundred years as places of refuge in the time of persecution, and also of worship and burial. About four thousand inscriptions have been found in the catacombs. These give an interesting insight into the history of the church at Rome down to the time of Constantine.