In 754 CE, Pope Stephen II anointed Pepin the Short in Rome, forging the alliance that led to the creation of the Papal States and reshaped medieval Europe.
The Coronation of Pepin the Short: The Birth of the Papal States
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Papal States
The Saracen Raids on Rome: The 9th-Century Threat to the Eternal City
In the 9th century, Saracen raiders attacked Rome, threatening the city’s security and prompting the fortification of the Vatican and the rise of new defenses.
The Capture of Rome in 1870: The End of Papal Rule
On September 20, 1870, Italian forces breached Porta Pia, capturing Rome and marking the end of papal rule, unifying Italy under one nation.
