Palazzo dei Conservatori

The primary wing of Capitoline Museums is Palazzo dei Conservatory, where you can see pieces of a giant statue of Emperor Constantine, and the Capitoline She-Wolf.

Constantine The Great was the first Emperor of Rome to convert to Christianity, and Christianity became the official religion of Rome for the first time.

This particular statue, which was 30 feet tall sitting on a throne, originally sat in Basilica of Constantine in the Roman Forum. Only the extremities were carved from marble.

Emperor Constantine completed construction of the Basilica of Maxentius, after defeating Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, the outcome of which led Constantine to convert to Christianity. (However the Basilica itself is completely secular).

Why was there more than one Emperor? Because Emperor Diocletian had previously created a system of multiple Emperors known as the Tetrarchy.

The equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius survived from antiquity, because medieval Christians thought it was Constantine. It was gilded bronze, and displayed in various locations during the Middle Ages. It’s final outdoor location was nearby in the Campidoglio, where a replica now stands.

Marcus Aurelius was a stoic.

According to mythology, Romulus and Remus were abandoned but adopted by a she-wolf. And Romulus would go on to become the founder of Rome.

• Latium was the region containing the City of Rome.
• Etruria was the ancient home of the Etruscans, in Central Italy, after which Tuscany takes its name.
• Magna Graecia occupied the Southern part of Italy and was colonized by Greeks.