Rome, the "Eternal City," has provided endless inspiration for religious thinkers, poets, artists and philosophers. As the first urban space to boast over a million inhabitants, its ancient glories endure, reflecting the Roman Empire's power and prestige. A religious village set among the ruins of a dead civilization in the Middle Ages, Rome rose from the ashes to become the arbiter of Renaissance taste and thought. A second population and political explosion during the twentieth century has placed new strains upon the city's infrastructure and identity. In the last decade, the capital has witnessed the destruction of a discredited political establishment and the emergence of new forces, pledged to stamp out corruption.

Jonathan Boardman uncovers Rome's multi-faceted experience, where each layer of development rests upon the foundation of a pre-existing tradition. In a place where political and religious ideology has always expressed itself through art, he also highlights a vibrant popular culture--from gladiatorial shows to the local Roma-Lazio soccer derby....