article_snippet: According to some accounts, the wealth of the ancient Roman empire was reflected in the very fabric of the city - with buildings of sparkling white marble at the ancient Roman empire centre.
article_snippet: Even the founder of the ancient Roman empire, Emperor Augustus claimed that Emperor Augustus had 'found Rome ' a city of bricks and left Rome a city of bricks a city of marble'.
article_snippet: many historical discriptions of the city's beauty discovery suggests that the claim attributed to Augustus may have been more of a metaphor than a literal boast.
article_snippet: Dr Diana Favro, who led the work, said: 'Many scholars have looked at Augustus’ claim from a political standpoint, as a metaphor for Augustus transforming a republic into an empire. '
article_snippet: Shortly before Augustus came to power, the Carrara marble quarries on the northwest coast of Italy were opened, and this was thought to have made marble a popular building material.
article_snippet: Augustus commissioned several large marble structures, some of which took 40 years to complete.
article_snippet: the Basilica Julia was one of the few buildings to be constructed from marble in Rome under Augustus .
article_snippet: Dr Favro Dr Favro said this may be why Rome earned Rome reputation as a city of marble.
article_snippet: Dr Favro said: 'Because they saw construction taking place constantly, I believe people really did think that Rome had been transformed into marble. '
article_snippet: Many artworks, like the painting above, and historical accounts depict Rome under Augustus as being dominated by marble buildings .
highlights_snippet: Emperor Augustus boasted about how Emperor Augustus rule left Rome 'a city of marble' while historical accounts said it glittered .
  