7 hills of Rome – The Esquiline Hill
A quick overview of the Esquiline hill in Rome, once the location of sumptuous Roman villas also including Nero’s Domus Aurea and later Trajan’s baths.
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The Esquiline hill is actually a combination of 3 other hills called Cispius, Oppius and Fagutalis. Oppius is most commonly referred to also in common speech so that “Colle Esquilino” and “Colle Oppio” are often interchangeable.
This hill or set of hills was included in the city of Rome by the later 6th King of Rome Servius Tullius. The name “Esquiline” is of unclear provenance, possibly linked to “Exquilini” meaning outsiders.
In ancient times the Esquiline hill was a relatively suburban area with respect to the historic centre of the city at the Palatine, Capitoline and Forum areas. Rich villas and sumptuous gardens were built there by some of the city’s richest individuals.
After the great fire of Rome, Emperor Nero confiscated significant parts of it to build his Domus Aurea.
Emperor Trajan later built sumptuous public baths here. Also worth visiting are the church of Santa Maria Maggiore which has some great examples of late Roman mosaics.
Areas of Rome: | The Vatican | Capitoline hill | Palatine hill | The Forums | Villa Borghese & Villa Giulia | Piazza del Popolo | Pantheon | Piazza Navona and Campo de’ Fiori | Quirinal hill | Caelius hill | Aventine hill | Trastevere & Janiculum hill | Via Veneto | Outside the city walls | Overview of Rome’s districts and areas |