The Seven Hills of Rome (1 of 2)

 Which hills make up the “Seven Hills of Rome” has been long debated. Depending on the source, there could be as many as eight or as few as six. Moreover, the defining borders of the various hills in Rome have changed. Since some are spurs of others, they were no longer counted as separate hills. The “Seven Hills” are actually a part of the mythology of the City. Varro writes, “Where Rome now is was the Septimontium from the same number of hills which the City afterwards embraced within its walls.”

 

The ancient festival of Septimontium (The Day of Seven Hills) began when the various peoples living on each hill in the area gathered for games and parades. Held on December 11, this was a time that people mingled with the foreigners of the other hills. The communities who celebrated this festival came from the Oppian, Palatine, Velia, Fagutal, Cermalian, Caelian and Cispian Hills. (Note 1)

 

Later, the composition of the “Seven Hills” changed to Palatine, Capitoline, Aventine, Velia, Esquiline, Viminal, and Quirinal Hills. These were the “enclosed hills,” as defined by the Pomerium, the boundary of Rome. These oldest parts of Rome were surrounded by a wall begun by Romulus and finished by Servius Tullis (the Sixth King of Rome). (Note 2)

 

Why are any of the Hills honored? They are the landscape that formed the Roman character. Each has its own personality, history, and myths. (Note 3) During the annual Septimontium, priests offered “sparkling grains of pure salt” and the “mate of a woolly ewe” to the Hills. The people prayed for bountiful harvests that the Hills would bring.

 

The Hills of Rome

 

The Palatine (Mons Palatinus)

The Palatine is the most important Hill in Rome. The Lupercal Cave, where Lupa the She-Wolf nursed the Divine Twins Romulus and Remus is located there. Furthermore, Romulus had his home on this Hill. Tradition has it that this Hill housed the oldest settlement in the area.

 

Capitoline Hill (Mons Capitolinus)

Originally sacred to Saturn, this Hiss was called Mons Saturnus, the Hill of Saturn. When the Romans were digging their temple to Jupiter Optimus Maximus, they uncovered a human skull (caput). For the Romans, this was a sign that this Hill would be the seat of their government. Therefore, they renamed it Capitolinus, since it would be the Caput Mundi (the Head of the Roman World).

 

The Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus was built with cellas (enclosed rooms) to include Juno Regina and Minerva. These three Gods became known as the Capitoline Triad, for They governed the State of Rome. This huge temple was begun by Tarquinius Priscus (the Fifth King of Rome) and finished by Tarquinius Superbus (the Seventh King of Rome).

 

The other notable feature of this Hill is the Mons Tarpeius, the Tarpeian Rock. This is the place where a Vestal Virgin, Tarpeia, betrayed Rome to the invading Sabines. They killed her and threw her body off the cliff. Later, it became the place where traitors were executed by being thrown off the cliff.

 

Notes:

Note 1: The Fagutal, Oppian and Cispian Hills are spurs of Esquiline Hill.

 

Note 2: Romulus started the wall around the Palatine Hill. He later expanded the wall to include Capitoline and Quirinal Hills. Later kings included Aventine and Caelian Hills. Servius Tullis added the Esquiline and Viminal Hills.

 

Note 3: From my own experience of walking the local hills of my home, they do have a sense of their own being. One huge hill near the main road challenges humans who go up and down it. This Hill regards Itself the ruler of the area.

 

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