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BIRTHDAY

Britain’s Queen is 90. That’s nothing, Rome is 2,769!

On April 21st, both Queen Elizabeth II and Rome celebrate their birthdays. While there's no doubt the monarch has done much in 90 years, Rome has done far more in 2,769.

Britain's Queen is 90. That’s nothing, Rome is 2,769!
On April 21st, Rome turns 2769 and Queen Elizabeth II turns 90. Photo: Ben Stansall/AFP/Bert Kaufaman

Since the city's legendary founder, Romulus, killed brother Remus in 753 BC Rome has been, and still is, responsible for great things.

Here are seven reasons why it's worth raising a glass to the Eternal City today.

Rome was the world's first millionaire city


Photo: Andreas Solaro/AFP

In the second century BC, Rome's population swelled to over one million people.

It is the only known city to have surpassed one million residents in the ancient world, a milestone which was not repeated until London's population swelled to seven digits in 1810.

Rome gave us the calendar

We couldn't celebrate Rome's birthday without our current calendar – which is largely a Roman invention.

We still measure a year as the amount of time it takes the earth to go around the sun – an idea that was implemented in 46 BC, when Julius Ceasar got together with the astronomer Sosigenes to establish a 12 month, 365-day year.

Our calendars have barely changed since, although in 1582 a new 'Gregorian' calendar was adopted – which added a leap year every four years.

Rome gave us concrete


The 42-metre concrete dome of the Pantheon. Photo: Andreas Solaro/AFP

As well as having heads for days and dates – the ancient Romans were also excellent builders, responsible for inventing the mortar which we call concrete today.

Thanks to its ingredient of volcanic ash, the concrete is extremely hard-wearing, which is why visitors to Rome can still see so many Roman structures.

Attesting to the brilliance of Roman concrete is the 42-metre wide dome of the Pantheon, which is still the largest un-reinforced concrete dome in the world, 1812 years after being built!

Rome gave us words

Latin is the main root of all today's romance languages and grew out of the dialect spoken in the region of Lazio in which Rome is situated. The ancient language was developed and diffused on the streets of city.

Fun fact: The word fascinating comes from the Latin 'fascinum', meaning 'charm'.

In ancient Rome, a fascinum was a small (and often graphic) phallic trinket, which was carried around to ward off evil spirits. Fascinating.

Rome gave us newspapers

Where would The Local be without Rome?

The ancient city invented a precursor to the modern newspaper, known as the Acta Diurna.

The Acta Diuna or 'daily acts' were etched on a stone tablets and left in public squares so the population could keep up to date with what was going on in the city.

Rome gave us iconic cuisine


Photo: Jay Cross/Flickr

Not all of Rome's glories are in the distant past. The city has given birth to some of Italy's most iconic cuisine.

For example, the delicious spaghetti alla carbonara (made with raw egg, pecorino cheese and fried pancetta) was born in 19th century Rome.

That's not to mention the many other lesser-known dishes the city is famous for like l'amatriciana – made with pancetta and rich tomato passata – or cacio e pepe, made with pecorino romano cheese and pepper.

Rome has inspired great minds

Thanks to its 2,769 year history, the city of Rome is an open-air museum, stuffed full of historical and cultural treasures and home to mouth-watering gastronomy.

This killer combination has left its indelible mark on some of the greatest minds from around the globe from Renaissance philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli to one-time resident, Jame's Joyce.

After nearly three millenia, it continues to inspire.

Happy birthday to you Rome!

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PROTESTS

Thousands protest in Rome against fascist groups after green pass riots

An estimated 200,000 people descended on Rome on Saturday to call for a ban on fascist-inspired groups, after protests over Italy's health pass system last weekend degenerated into riots.

A general view shows people attending an anti-fascist rally called by Italian Labour unions CGIL, CISL and UIL at Piazza San Giovanni in Rome
People attend an anti-fascist rally called by Italian Labour unions CGIL, CISL and UIL at Piazza San Giovanni in Rome on October 16th, 2021. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)

Carrying placards reading “Fascism: Never Again”, the protesters in Piazza San Giovanni — a square historically associated with the left — called for a ban on openly neofascist group Forza Nuova (FN).

FN leaders were among those arrested after the Rome headquarters of the CGIL trade union — Italy’s oldest — was stormed on October 9th during clashes outside parliament and in the historic centre.

Analysis: What’s behind Italy’s anti-vax protests and neo-fascist violence?

A man holds a placard reading "yes to the vaccine" during an anti-fascist rally at Piazza San Giovanni in Rome

A man holds a placard reading “yes to the vaccine” during an anti-fascist rally at Piazza San Giovanni in Rome on October 16th, 2021. Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP

“This is not just a retort to fascist ‘squadrismo’,” CGIL secretary general Maurizio Landini said, using a word used to refer to the fascist militias that began operating after World War I.

IN PICTURES: Demonstrators and far right clash with police in Rome after green pass protest

“This piazza also represents all those in Italy who want to change the country, who want to close the door on political violence,” he told the gathered crowds.

Last weekend’s riots followed a peaceful protest against the extension to all workplaces of Italy’s “Green Pass”, which shows proof of vaccination, a negative Covid-19 test or recent recovery from the virus.

The violence has focused attention on the country’s fascist legacy.

Saturday’s demonstration was attended by some 200,000 people, said organisers, with 800 coaches and 10 trains laid on to bring people to the capital for the event.

Workers from the Italian Labour Union (UIL) react during an anti-fascist rally in Rome

Workers from the Italian Labour Union (UIL) react during an anti-fascist rally in Rome on October 16th, 2021. Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP

It coincided with the 78th anniversary of the Nazi raid on the Jewish Ghetto in Rome.

Over 1,000 Jews, including 200 children, were rounded up at dawn on October 16th, 1943, and deported to the Auschwitz concentration camp.

General Secretary of the Italian General Confederation of Labour (CGIL), Maurizio Landini (C) delivers a speech as Italian priest Don Luigi Ciotti (R) looks on

General Secretary of the Italian General Confederation of Labour (CGIL), Maurizio Landini (C) delivers a speech as Italian priest Don Luigi Ciotti (R) looks on during the anti-fascist rally in Rome. Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP

“Neofascist groups have to be shut down, right now. But that has to be just the start: we need an antifascist education in schools,” university student Margherita Sardi told AFP.

READ ALSO: Covid green pass: How are people in Italy reacting to the new law for workplaces?

The centre-left Democratic Party, which has led the calls for FN to be banned, said its petition calling on parliament to do so had gathered 100,000 signatures.

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