The ancient Roman Empire was truly a marvel of architecture and ambition. From its legendary founding by Romulus in 753 BCE to its dominion over a vast empire that spanned continents, the city of ancient Rome lay at the heart of ambition, war, and ingenuity.
Rome was built over the course of centuries, stone by stone, and rose up along the Tiber River to dominate the Mediterranean. The city’s architecture was something to behold, as arenas, aqueducts, and temples were carved in stone and marble into Rome’s skyline.
So why is it that this grand civilization’s most cherished architectural achievements were allowed to fall into ruin and disrepair? Click through this gallery to find out.