Esquiline Hill, one of the celebrated Seven Hills of Rome, has a storied past that intertwines with the very foundations of Roman history. Its name, believed to be derived from the abundance of Italian oaks, or 'aesculi', that once grew there, is also associated with the 'exquilini', the suburbanites of ancient Rome who lived beyond the city's central hills. This hill, comprising three prominent spurs—the Cispian, Oppian, and Fagutal—was transformed from a less reputable area to a sought-after residential district during the reign of Servius Tullius, the sixth king of Rome. It was here that Maecenas, the political advisor and art patron of Emperor Augustus, established the first Hellenistic-Persian garden style in Rome, known as the Horti Maecenatis.
The Esquiline's transformation continued with Emperor Nero, who, after the Great Fire, built his lavish Domus Aurea, or Golden House, on the hill. This opulent palace, stretching over a mile, was later overshadowed by the Baths of Trajan, a monumental bath complex constructed by Emperor Trajan on the remains of Nero's palace. These historical landmarks, along with the nymphaeum misattributed to Minerva Medica, underscore the hill's significance in Roman architectural and cultural development.
The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, a crown jewel atop the Esquiline, stands as a testament to the hill's religious importance. The basilica's legend is as fascinating as its architecture; it was purportedly built on the spot where snow miraculously fell during a summer night in 352 AD, as foretold in a vision of the Virgin Mary to Pope Liberius and a Roman patrician. The basilica, one of Rome's four major papal basilicas, houses the Holy Crib and boasts 5th-century mosaics, offering a glimpse into the early Christian art of Rome.
The Esquiline Hill's historical depth is further enriched by the discovery of the Esquiline Treasure, a collection of luxurious silverware now housed in the British Museum, and the famed Discobolus of Myron, a marble statue unearthed on the hill, which reflects the artistic heritage that the Esquiline has preserved through the ages.
Today, the Esquiline Hill is not only a repository of ancient history but also a vibrant, multicultural district of Rome. Its transformation from an ancient residential area for the elite to a modern hub of cultural diversity encapsulates the ever-evolving narrative of one of Rome's most fascinating hills.