In 2026, Italy once again looks into the depth of its own history, retracing centuries of achievements, rebirths, and revolutions that shaped the identity of a people unlike any other. From the eternal stones of ancient Rome—where laws, roads, and visions destined to shape the Western world were born—our gaze moves toward the bright dawn of Humanism and the Renaissance, when Italian genius redefined the very concept of humanity, art, and knowledge. Finally, the Risorgimento: a season of courage and sacrifice, when the idea of a shared homeland took form thanks to the determination of women and men who refused to remain divided.
Below is a list of dates that help us remember our history. You are welcome to contribute additional dates, as long as they can be verified through reliable sources, so that this journey of memory may become ever more complete and shared.
Ancient Rome
2700 years ago – 674 BC
According to tradition, Numa Pompilius, the second king of Rome, dies. Of Sabine origin and surrounded by an aura of wisdom, Numa is remembered as the ruler who gave order, rites, and religious institutions to the young city, guiding it for over forty years without resorting to war. With his death, that spirit of peace faded, and Tullus Hostilius, Roman by birth, marked the beginning of a new warlike era for Rome: the victories over Alba Longa—famous for the duel between the Horatii and the Curiatii—Fidenae, and Veii inaugurated the first expansions beyond the city walls.
2500 years ago – 474 BC
During the first war between Rome and Veii, the consuls Aulus Manlius Vulso and Lucius Furius Medullinus concluded a forty‑year truce. The young Roman Republic was beginning to understand that its destiny would not remain confined within its walls.
2200 years ago – 174 BC
Rome marked the passing of Titus Quinctius Flamininus, the general who defeated Philip V of Macedon at Cynoscephalae. His actions opened the doors of Greece to the Roman Republic and embodied the ideal of a commander capable not only of winning, but of governing with balance.
2100 years ago – 74 BC
The Third Mithridatic War began against Mithridates VI of Pontus, marking Rome’s definitive assertion over the eastern Mediterranean. In the same year, Gaius Julius Caesar was kidnapped by Cilician pirates while traveling to Rhodes to perfect his studies in rhetoric. Taken to the island of Pharmacusa, Caesar never behaved like a prisoner: he treated the pirates with almost insolent confidence, recited poems, scolded them, and repeatedly promised that once freed, he would have them crucified. After the ransom was paid, he kept his word: he armed a fleet, captured the pirates, and had them executed. This episode, recorded by ancient sources, revealed Caesar’s indomitable character and his destiny to leave an indelible mark on history.
2000 years ago – AD 26
Emperor Tiberius decided to leave Rome, officially to dedicate temples to Jupiter in Capua and to Augustus in Nola. A few days after his departure, at the villa in Sperlonga, he even escaped a landslide during a banquet, saved by Sejanus’s prompt intervention. From AD 27 onward, his main residence became Capri. Far from the city, yet never truly absent from power, he transformed the island into a political observatory and a personal refuge. From there, he monitored the port of Misenum, the movements of those arriving and departing, and continued to govern the Empire while living far from the capital.
1900 years ago – AD 126
In Alba Pompeia, Publius Helvius Pertinax was born. He would go on to climb every rung of power during the Marcomannic Wars under Emperor Marcus Aurelius (depicted in the opening scene of the 2000 film Gladiator). In the same period, under Hadrian, the Pantheon was completed in its current form—an eternal symbol of Roman power and ingenuity.
1800 years ago – AD 226
Under Emperor Alexander Severus, Rome experienced a period of apparent calm, while in the East the Sasanian Empire, founded by Ardashir I, was rising—destined to become Rome’s most formidable rival for centuries. In that same year, Julia Maesa died, a pivotal figure in restoring the Severan dynasty to power.
1700 years ago – AD 326
The Roman Empire was shaken by the death of Crispus, the eldest son of Constantine. Sources confirm that Crispus was executed in Pula by order of his father. The tragedy left a deep mark: his name was erased from inscriptions and monuments, as if the Empire wished to forget a pain too great to bear. Yet his young and valiant figure still emerges from the ancient sources as one of the most dramatic stories of the Constantinian dynasty.
Renaissance
600 years ago – AD 1426
In Vinci, Ser Piero da Vinci was born, the future father of Leonardo. His career led him to work between Vinci, Florence, and Pistoia, moving through workshops, archives, and civic palaces. In this cultured and vibrant environment, Leonardo took his first steps, breathing from childhood that air of curiosity and knowledge that would fuel his genius.
500 years ago – AD 1526
Italy found itself at the center of a crisis: after Charles V’s victory at Pavia, the League of Cognac was formed to counter Spanish expansion. It was a desperate attempt to defend the autonomy of the Italian states, while imperial armies ravaged cities and countryside.
Risorgimento
200 years ago – AD 1826
Italy was not yet unified, but it was changing shape: a mosaic of states under Austrian, Bourbon, and Papal influence. In the cities of Milan, Florence, and Turin, a new cultural energy was growing, preparing the ground for the Risorgimento. In that same year, one of the most important works of modern Italian literature took form: The Betrothed (I promessi sposi) by Alessandro Manzoni, in its first complete edition. From its earliest installments, it achieved enormous success thanks to its narrative power and linguistic modernity, transforming a seventeenth‑century story into a national novel.
Why remember historical anniversaries?
Anniversaries are not just numerical recurrences: they are opportunities to reread the past, understand its lessons, and appreciate the value of our Italian culture. They help us reflect on achievements, mistakes, and innovations, becoming a bridge between memory and the present. Recognizing and celebrating these moments means keeping history alive, preserving identity, and nurturing curiosity about what has made us unique in the world.