Rome: The Eternal City

• HelloCiao
  [chow]
• GoodbyeArrivederci
  [ah-ree-veh-dehr-chee]
• YesSì
  [see]
• NoNo
  [no]
• Please/You're welcomePer favore/Prego
  [pehr fah-voh-reh/preh-goh]
• Thank youGrazie
  [grah-tsyeh]
• Excuse me/SorryMi scusi/Scusa
  [mee skoo-zee/skoo-sah]
• How are you?Come stai?
  [koh-meh stah-ee]
• Fine. And you?Bene. E tu?
  [beh-neh. eh too]
• Do you speak English?Parli inglese?
  [pahr-lee een-gleh-zeh]
• I don't understandNon capisco
  [nohn kah-pee-skoh]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseVorrei vedere il menu, per favore
  [vohr-ray veh-deh-reh eel meh-noo, pehr fah-voh-reh]
• I don't eat meatNon mangio carne
  [nohn mahn-joh kahr-neh]
• Cheers!Salute!
  [sah-loo-teh]
• I would like to pay, pleaseVorrei pagare, per favore
  [vohr-ray pah-gah-reh, pehr fah-voh-reh]

• Help!Aiuto!
  [ah-yoo-toh]
• Go away!Vai via!
  [vah-ee vee-ah]
• Call the Police!Chiama la polizia!
  [kyah-mah lah poh-lee-tsya]
• Call a doctor!Chiama un dottore!
  [kyah-mah oon doh-toh-reh]
• I'm lostMi sono perso
  [mee soh-noh pehr-soh]
• I'm illSono malato
  [soh-noh mah-lah-toh]

• I'd like to buy...Vorrei comprare...
  [vohr-ray kohm-prah-reh]
• I'm just lookingSto solo guardando
  [stoh soh-loh gwahr-dahn-doh]
• How much is it?Quanto costa?
  [kwahn-toh koh-stah]
• That's too expensiveÈ troppo caro
  [eh troh-poh kah-roh]
• Can you lower the price?Puoi abbassare il prezzo?
  [pwah-ee ahb-bahs-sah-reh eel preh-tsoh]

• What time is it?Che ora è?
  [keh oh-rah eh]
• It's one o'clockÈ l'una
  [eh loo-nah]
• Half past (10)Sono le dieci e mezza
  [soh-noh leh dyeh-chee eh meht-sah]
• MorningMattina
  [maht-tee-nah]
• AfternoonPomeriggio
  [poh-meh-ree-joh]
• EveningSera
  [seh-rah]
• YesterdayIeri
  [yeh-ree]
• TodayOggi
  [oh-jee]
• TomorrowDomani
  [doh-mah-nee]
• 1Uno
  [oo-noh]
• 2Due
  [doo-eh]
• 3Tre
  [treh]
• 4Quattro
  [kwah-troh]
• 5Cinque
  [cheen-kweh]
• 6Sei
  [say]
• 7Sette
  [seht-teh]
• 8Otto
  [oh-ttoh]
• 9Nove
  [noh-veh]
• 10Dieci
  [dyeh-chee]

• Where's a/the...?Dov'è...?
  [doh-veh]
• What's the address?Qual è l'indirizzo?
  [kwahl eh leen-dee-reet-soh]
• Can you show me (on the map)?Puoi mostrarmi (nella mappa)?
  [pwah-ee mohs-trar-mee (neh-lah mahp-pah)]
• When's the next (bus)?Quando passa il prossimo (bus)?
  [kwahn-doh pahs-sah eel prohs-see-moh (boos)]
• A ticket (to ....)Un biglietto (per ....)
  [oon beel-yet-toh (pehr)]

According to legend, Rome was founded on April 21, 753 BCE, by the twin brothers Romulus and Remus. Raised by a she-wolf, the twins decided to establish a city but quarreled over its location. Romulus ultimately killed Remus and named the city after himself. This mythological origin story intertwines with archaeological evidence indicating settlement in the area as early as the 8th century BCE.

In 509 BCE, Rome transitioned from a monarchy to a republic, a significant turning point in its history. The Roman Republic was characterized by a complex system of checks and balances, featuring elected officials such as consuls, the Senate, and popular assemblies. This period saw the expansion of Roman influence throughout the Italian peninsula and set the stage for Rome's eventual dominance in the Mediterranean.

On March 15, 44 BCE, Julius Caesar, a pivotal figure in Roman history, was assassinated by a group of senators led by Brutus and Cassius. This event, known as the Ides of March, was driven by fears that Caesar aimed to establish himself as a monarch. The assassination plunged Rome into a series of civil wars, leading to the end of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire.

The Roman Empire began in 27 BCE when Augustus (formerly Octavian) became the first Roman emperor. This era marked a time of unprecedented territorial expansion and relative peace known as the Pax Romana. The Empire's influence extended across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, facilitating the spread of Roman culture, law, and infrastructure.

The fall of the Western Roman Empire is traditionally dated to 476 CE, when the last Roman emperor, Romulus Augustulus, was deposed by the Germanic chieftain Odoacer. This marked the end of ancient Rome and the beginning of the Middle Ages. Numerous factors contributed to Rome's decline, including economic troubles, military defeats, and internal strife.

Rome experienced a cultural and artistic revival during the Renaissance, beginning in the 14th century and peaking in the 15th and 16th centuries. This period saw the construction of iconic landmarks such as St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, with contributions from legendary artists like Michelangelo, Raphael, and Leonardo da Vinci. The Renaissance reinforced Rome's status as a center of art, culture, and religion.

Rome became the capital of the newly unified Kingdom of Italy in 1870. The unification process, known as the Risorgimento, was driven by figures like Giuseppe Garibaldi and Count Camillo di Cavour. The capture of Rome marked the culmination of efforts to consolidate various independent states and territories on the Italian peninsula into a single nation-state.

During World War II, Rome was occupied by German forces from 1943 until its liberation by Allied troops on June 4, 1944. The city endured significant hardship during the occupation, including bombings and food shortages. The liberation of Rome was a crucial moment in the Italian Campaign, paving the way for the eventual defeat of Axis forces in Italy.

Today, Rome is a bustling metropolis that seamlessly blends its rich historical heritage with modern life. The city is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Vatican City. As the capital of Italy, Rome continues to be a center of political, cultural, and religious significance, attracting millions of tourists from around the world each year.

Rome is served by two main airports: Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (Fiumicino) and Ciampino Airport. Fiumicino is the larger of the two and handles most international flights. Ciampino mainly serves budget airlines. From Fiumicino, you can take the Leonardo Express train directly to Termini Station in central Rome, which takes about 30 minutes. From Ciampino, you can take a bus to Anagnina Metro Station and then transfer to the Metro Line A to reach central Rome.

Rome has an extensive public transportation system, including buses, trams, and two metro lines. The ATAC operates the city's public transport, and tickets can be purchased at metro stations, newsstands, and convenience stores. Taxis are also available but can be expensive. For a more scenic experience, consider renting a bike or scooter. Walking is a great way to explore the city's historic center, as many attractions are within close proximity.

The official currency in Italy is the Euro (EUR). Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops. However, it is advisable to carry some cash for smaller establishments and markets. ATMs are readily available throughout the city. Be aware that some places may not accept American Express, so having a Visa or MasterCard as a backup is a good idea.

Rome is generally a safe city, but like any major tourist destination, it has areas where pickpocketing and scams are more common. Be particularly vigilant in crowded areas such as Termini Station, the Colosseum, and popular tourist spots like the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. Avoid isolated areas at night and keep an eye on your belongings. Trastevere, while popular for its nightlife, requires caution after dark.

In case of emergency, dial 112 for immediate assistance, which is the general emergency number in Italy. For police assistance, you can also dial 113. The major hospitals in Rome include Policlinico Umberto I and Ospedale San Giovanni. Pharmacies are available throughout the city, and many have a green cross sign. Most pharmacies have a list of 24-hour locations posted on their doors.

Fashion: Do dress smartly and modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. Avoid wearing shorts and sleeveless tops in churches. Religion: Do respect local customs and traditions. Always cover your shoulders and knees when entering churches. Public Transport: Do validate your ticket before boarding. Don’t forget to validate, as fines are hefty. Greetings: Do greet people with a polite 'Buongiorno' or 'Buonasera.' Eating & Drinking: Do try local dishes and wines. Italians appreciate when you enjoy their cuisine. Don’t ask for modifications to traditional recipes.

To experience Rome like a local, visit the local markets such as Campo de' Fiori or Testaccio Market for fresh produce and local delicacies. Take a stroll through lesser-known neighborhoods like Monti and Garbatella for a more authentic experience. Enjoy an aperitivo in a local bar in Trastevere or Pigneto. When visiting popular sites, try to go early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds.