The Seven Hills of Rome

A Geological Tour of the Eternal City

Grant Heiken, Renato Funiciello, Donatella de Rita

• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Year: 2013
• Print ISBN:
  9780691130385
  9780691069951
• eBook ISBN:
  9781400849376
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Roman Ancient History

From humble beginnings, Rome became perhaps the greatest intercontinental power in the world. Why did this historic city become so much more influential than its neighbor, nearby Latium, which was peopled by more or less the same stock? Over the years, historians, political analysts, and sociologists have discussed this question ad infinitum, without considering one underlying factor that led to the rise of Rome--the geology now hidden by the modern city.


This book demonstrates the important link between the history of Rome and its geologic setting in a lively, fact-filled narrative sure to interest geology and history buffs and travelers alike. The authors point out that Rome possessed many geographic advantages over surrounding areas: proximity to a major river with access to the sea, plateaus for protection, nearby sources of building materials, and most significantly, clean drinking water from springs in the Apennines. Even the resiliency of Rome's architecture and the stability of life on its hills are underscored by the city's geologic framework.


If carried along with a good city map, this book will expand the understanding of travelers who explore the eternal city's streets. Chapters are arranged geographically, based on each of the seven hills, the Tiber floodplain, ancient creeks that dissected the plateau, and ridges that rise above the right bank. As an added bonus, the last chapter consists of three field trips around the center of Rome, which can be enjoyed on foot or by using public transportation.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Foreword
• Preface
• CHAPTER 1: A Tourist’s Introduction to the Geology of Rome
• CHAPTER 2: Center of the Western World—The Capitoline (Campidoglio) Hill
• CHAPTER 3: Palaces and Gardens—The Palatine (Palatino) Hill
• CHAPTER 4: The Aventine (Aventino) Hill
• CHAPTER 5: The Tiber Floodplain, Commerce, and Tragedy
• CHAPTER 6: The Tiber’s Tributaries in Rome—Clogged with Humankind’s Debris
• CHAPTER 7: The Western Heights—Janiculum, Vatican, and Monte Mario
• CHAPTER 8: The Celian (Celio) Hill
• CHAPTER 9: Largest of the Seven Hills—The Esquiline (Esquilino)
• CHAPTER 10: Upper Class—The Viminal (Viminale) and Quirinal (Quirinale) Hills
• CHAPTER 11: Field Trips in and around Rome
• Acknowledgments
• Further Reading
• Index