Caelian Hill

By the Editors of the Madain Project

  • This article is a stub as it does not provide effective content depth for the core subject discussed herein. We're still working to expand it, if you'd like to help with it you can request expansion. This tag should be removed, once the article satisfies the content depth criteria.
    What is this?

  • This article is undergoing or requires copyediting. Once done, this tag should be removed.

The Caelian Hill (Celio), is one of the Seven Hills of Rome, located southeast of the city's historic centre. It was an important residential and religious area, historically associated with aristocratic families and later with Christian institutions.

See Location   Home > N/A
See Subject   Home > Europe > Italy > Rome > Seven Hills > Caelian Hill

Overview

Evidence of early settlements dates back to the Iron Age, and by the Regal Period, it had become an integral part of Rome’s urban structure. The hill saw significant development during the Republican and Imperial eras, with luxurious villas, public baths, and military barracks. In late antiquity, it became a centre of Christian activity, housing churches such as San Gregorio Magno al Celio.

Historically, it was covered with dense oak groves before being transformed into an elite residential and religious district. The hill’s elevation provided a strategic vantage point in antiquity, and its proximity to the Porta Capena and key Roman roads made it an important part of the city's expansion.

Brief History

circa 700 BCE- Modern Period

Archaic Period
During the reign of Tullus Hostilius, the entire population of Alba Longa was forcibly relocated to the Caelian Hill, marking a significant early expansion of Rome. According to Varro, the hill derived its name from the Etruscan leader Caelius Vibenna, who either settled there or was commemorated posthumously by his associate Servius Tullius. Alternative interpretations suggest that the name Caelian may have been derived from the Latin caelum ("heaven"). Nevertheless, historical records indicate that its earlier name was likely Querquetulanus Mons, referencing its dense oak forests (quercus in Latin). Some scholars propose that the Querquetulani, an ancient ethnic group, inhabited the region prior to Etruscan influence.

The incorporation of the Caelian Hill into Rome’s urban fabric likely occurred during the reign of Ancus Marcius, as it appears in the Septimontium list and was designated as part of the first city quarter (Suburana) in the administrative divisions attributed to Servius Tullius. Later, under Augustus, the hill was categorized as Regio II Caelimontium. Traces of early religious practices, particularly woodland and water cults, persisted, with the sanctuary of the nymph Egeria near Porta Capena serving as a notable example. Numa Pompilius, Rome’s second king, is said to have shown particular devotion to this sanctuary.

Republican Period
Throughout the Republican era, the Caelian Hill evolved into an elite residential district, housing members of Rome’s wealthy and politically influential class. This status continued into the Imperial period, as documented by Pliny the Elder in his discussion of Rome’s architectural trends. The construction of opulent marble-clad residences began on the hill during this period, with Mamurra, a military officer who amassed great wealth during Caesar’s Gallic campaigns, credited as the first to adopt this extravagant style. His ostentation attracted satirical critique from Horace and Catullus.

Owing to its location beyond the pomerium, the sacred boundary of Rome, the Caelian Hill permitted the construction of temples dedicated to foreign deities. Among these were the Temple of Minerva Capta and the Sacellum of Diana, reflecting Rome’s syncretic religious traditions. Additionally, the discovery of sepulchral remains, such as a burial chamber on Via Celimontana, suggests that certain sections of the hill were used for funerary purposes during the Republic.

Imperial Period
Under the rule of Augustus, the Caelian Hill was officially designated as Regio II Caelimontium, while its eastern section, extending toward Lateran and Porta Maggiore, was incorporated into Regio V (Esquiliae). One of the most significant constructions from this period was the Temple of Claudius, built on a massive artificial terrace facing the Colosseum. This structure was commissioned by Agrippina the Younger in honor of her deceased and deified husband, Emperor Claudius, and was later completed by Vespasian. The site also featured an elaborate nymphaeum, constructed by Nero, which was supplied by a dedicated branch of the Aqua Claudia aqueduct known as the Arcus Neroniani.

Archaeological findings indicate a surge in residential construction on the Caelian Hill during the second half of the second century CE, suggesting a phase of urban expansion and renewal. However, earlier structures from the late Republic and early Empire may have been destroyed in the fire of 27 CE. Literary sources, including Jerome, suggest that Marcus Aurelius was born on the Caelian Hill in 121 CE.

By the fourth century CE, the hill remained a prestigious aristocratic district, with expansive villa complexes such as those of the Symmachi and Tetrici families, as well as the Domus Faustae, potentially belonging to Fausta, the wife of Constantine I. Other notable properties included the estates of the Annii, Domitia Lucilla Minor (mother of Marcus Aurelius), and the Quintilii, which were later incorporated into the Domus Vectiliana of Commodus.

In addition to aristocratic residences, the Caelian Hill accommodated several military barracks, including the Castra Peregrina, established under Trajan and later modified. The V Cohort of the Vigiles, responsible for firefighting and maintaining public order, also maintained its headquarters on the hill. Septimius Severus, in the late second century CE, built a new barracks for the equites singulares (imperial cavalry), replacing the older one from Trajan’s reign. Following Constantine’s dissolution of the equites singulares, the area was repurposed for the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, which became the ecclesiastical center of Rome.

A notable military confrontation occurred on the Caelian Hill in 271 CE, when Emperor Aurelian suppressed a revolt led by the mint workers (Felicissimus’ uprising). The subsequent execution of multiple senators implies a possible connection between the rebellion and elite factions opposed to Aurelian’s rule. The sack of Rome by Alaric I in 410 CE led to extensive destruction, marking the beginning of a gradual decline and ruralization of the Caelian Hill.

Medieval Period
By the sixth century CE, the Caelian Hill was classified as part of the second ecclesiastical region of Rome, reflecting its proximity to the Lateran Basilica, which had by then emerged as the center of papal authority. The term "Laterano" frequently encompassed the entire hill during this period. The establishment of the Patriarchium (papal palace), likely in the sixth century, catalyzed the development of numerous tituli (early Christian places of worship) and xenodochia (charitable hospices for pilgrims and the sick).

The medieval landscape of the Caelian Hill was characterized by the construction of churches, including the Basilica of Saints John and Paul, the Basilica of the Four Crowned Martyrs, and the Basilica of St. Stephen in the Round, among others. Several monasteries were also established, often accompanied by gardens and fortified towers belonging to noble families, particularly during the 10th and 11th centuries. The hill suffered significant devastation during the sack of Rome in 1084 CE. From the 12th century onward, the Caelian Hill was administratively incorporated into the Regio Montium, a district that also extended to the Quirinal Hill.

Modern Period
In the modern period, the Caelian Hill was included in the administrative district (Rione) of the same name. It continued its historical association with healthcare and public service, becoming the site of the Policlinico Militare del Celio, a military hospital designed by Salvatore Bianchi and Filippo Laccetti. The hill also became a place of literary significance, as the Spanish-American philosopher and writer George Santayana resided at the Convent of the English Blue Sisters from 1912 until his death. Today, the Caelian Hill remains a historically significant yet quieter district of Rome, featuring a mix of archaeological remains, religious institutions, and modern residences.

Geography

circa 753 BCE

The Caelian Hill is located in the southeastern part of Rome, forming one of the city's Seven Hills. It is bordered by the Esquiline Hill to the north, the Palatine Hill to the west, and the Aventine Hill to the southwest, with the Appian Way running along its southern edge. Unlike some of the other hills, the Caelian has a more elongated and gently sloping terrain, with significant green spaces, including the gardens of Villa Celimontana. The hill overlooks a plateau from which the Esquiline, Viminal and Quirinal hills also arise. Caeliolus (also Caeliculus or Caelius Minor) corresponds to a section of the hill, maybe the westernmost one, towards the valley that houses the Colosseum, or the one now occupied by the Basilica dei Santi Quattro Coronati.

The Caelian Hill is a moderately long promontory about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) long, 400 meters (0.25 miles) to 500 meters (0.31 miles) wide, and 50 meters (160 feet) tall in the park near the Temple of Claudius.

Archaeological Structures

circa 50-450 CE

Roman Period Houses of Celio
The Caelian Hill, was historically associated with elite residential architecture, particularly during the Republican and Imperial periods. Unlike the commercial and administrative centers of the city, the Caelian Hill developed into a prestigious residential district, housing Rome’s wealthiest and most influential families. Throughout the late Republic and early Empire, the hill became known for its luxurious domus (private residences), adorned with marble decorations, elaborate frescoes, and expansive gardens. By the second century CE, several aristocratic villas, including those of the Symmachi, Tetrici, and Annii families, dominated the landscape, reflecting both economic prosperity and social hierarchy. Additionally, the hill's proximity to military installations and religious structures, such as the Temple of Claudius, further shaped its urban development. Over time, these opulent residences transitioned into monastic complexes and ecclesiastical buildings, as Rome’s urban fabric evolved in response to Christianization and medieval transformations.

circa

Tomb of Galba
The Tomb of Galba

Notable Landmarks

circa 2004 CE

Museum of the Forma Urbis Romae
The Museum of the Forma Urbis Romae

circa

Celio Archaeological Park
The Celio Archaeological Park

circa

Santi Paulo e Giovanni al Celio

Gallery Want to use our images?

See Also

References

Let's bring some history to your inbox

Signup for our monthly newsletter / online magazine.
No spam, we promise.

Privacy Policy



Top