Here is a magnificent close-up of the fresco decoration of the large entrance hall of the Villa Borghese in Rome . A way for a moment to understand how a visit to the Borghese Gallery, known above all for Bernini 's sculptures like this one , is an excellent way to also admire the building and its internal decorations. From your local tour guide I already had the opportunity to talk about it, as in the case of the fresco in the room where Bernini's David is exhibited. But here we have something truly exceptional and all to be savoured.

We owe this polychrome jewel to the painter Mariano Rossi, who completely renovated the hall in the 1770s, more than 100 years after the construction of the building. The complex and rich decorative apparatus is generated by the will of Marco Antonio IV Borghese, who wanted to reinvigorate the glories of the family which had, among its illustrious members, popes and cardinals. It was he, therefore, who modernized and modified a lot, both in the villa and in the large park that still develops around it today. The entire ceiling is intended to underline the glory of ancient Rome and some of its heroes. Men who underline, with the aegis and approval of the divinities, those virtues that made the city great. A way of indicating how the Borghese family was, after all, following the same paved path of glory and honour. And the main scene emphasizes these concepts, since it is a  Romulus welcomed by Jupiter to propitiate the victory of Furio Camillo against the Gauls, as the official title underlines. A long title that needs a short explanation. We see Jupiter in the center carried by clouds, surrounded by pure light , meeting Romulus, who is on his left. The first King, and founder, of Rome, seeks intercession (like a saint) with the Father of the Gods. Reason? About four centuries after his presumed death, when Rome was already a Republic, the fearless Gauls penetrated the borders of the City for the first time, coming into contact with the Romans. It was a real fight. Not only that, but at the beginning of the 4th century BC the Gauls, led by Brenno, managed to enter Rome, sacking the city for the first time in its already centuries-old history. It is said that the Romans were so frightened by these big and blond men, ferocious and fearless, that they even thought of abandoning the city. One must imagine how the Gallic tribes were really something never seen before, a novelty that the Romans, among other things defeated militarily in the battle preceding the sacking of the Eternal City, just couldn't digest. In this complete article, you will be able to read in more detail the episode which, to all intents and purposes, is remembered as the first looting suffered by Rome. However, it was Furio Camillo, a great hero and general previously exiled by the Romans for being suspected of wanting to take power by becoming king, who routed the Gauls (who had already raided Rome), also taking the magnificent treasure taken away from the Eternal City. The courage of Furio Camillo, a man now in advanced age who convinced the Romans not to leave Rome and who led them to victory, was greatly celebrated in the ancient world. Let's read what Tito Livio tells us, for example: "After having sounded the charge, he dismounted and taking the closest bishop by the hand, he dragged him with him towards the enemy shouting: «Forward the standard, o soldier!» When the men saw Camillus in person, now incapable of the fatigues due to his advanced age, proceeding towards the enemy, they raised the war cry and threw themselves into the assault all together, each one shouting on his own behalf "Follow the general!". It is also said that Camillus ordered a banner to be thrown between enemy lines, and that the forerunners were incited to take it back."

Furio Camillus therefore became a hero who returns to his motherland, despite his exile, bringing renewed ardor and courage into the frightened hearts of Roman citizens. Small summary to understand how Rome and the Romans covered themselves in glory, defeating fearsome enemies. And here, in the foreground in his golden armour, we see Furio Camillo walking proudly, contemptuous of danger. He tramples enemies, he is not afraid or fearful, he is ready for battle. In this swirl of bodies and colors, all his determination stands out. A bit like the son of Mark Antony IV should have done, who happened to be named Camillus. All clear, right? A full-blown self-celebration, drawing as always on the corpus of stories, traditions and legends that made the Eternal City a historic city full of ideas.