Where does Rome’s name come from?

The name Rome is known throughout the world, but among large and small cities, rural villages and remote locations, in the world there are 26 cities with the same name as the Italian capital.

But where does this name come from?

As is well known, the founder of Rome is Romulus, the first king of this city and from which name, perhaps, takes its name, as a custom of that historical period.

But then, where does the name Rome come from and why is it so called?

According to Servius Marius Honoratus, a Latin grammarian who lived between the fourth and fifth centuries AD, Rome or Rumon was the ancient name of the Tiber, from the Greek root “ruo”, or flow.

So it is the famous “blond” river that cuts the city in two to have given it its name?

Plurarc

Not so for Plutarch, Greek historian and philosopher who lived in Rome about 20 years. Plutarch knew first the Emperor Nero and then Vespasian and both had relationships in the imperial court.

This brought him great prestige and to those who asked him the origins of the name Rome he told this version.

It was due to the pre-Hellenic people of the Pelasgi – of which Homer also speaks in the Odyssey, who landed on the coasts of Latium, gave this land the name of “Rhome”.
In their language meant strength and valor that resided in the people who lived in that area.

Perhaps it was to flatter the powerful Romans because the same Plutarch also speaks of a woman named Rhome.
Arrived in Latium from Troy with Aeneas and a third speaks of Rome, daughter of King Italo, went in marriage to Aeneas.

The Greek

The Greek authors, however, have always wanted in some way to give their land a role in the founding of Rome.

A hypothesis very close to reality explains instead that the origin of the name Rome comes from the Etruscan root Ruma, which means breast but also high ground.

This name recalls both the shape of the Palatine Hill, the hill where the first nucleus of Rome was founded.
Also the breasts of the she-wolf to which, according to legend, the twins Romulus and Remus were suckled.

However, there is always a shadow of mystery about the true origin of the name.

A small curiosity to close.

According to tradition, in ancient times many cities had three names:
– one sacral,
– one public
– and a secret one.

In the case of the eternal city
– the public name was Roma
– the sacred one Flora or Florens, used on the occasion of some particular ceremonies.

The secret one, however, still remains shrouded in mystery.
Even if many believe that it is the one that comes from reading the words of Rome backwards: Amor.