The poet Albius Tibullus called a city this in the late 1st century B.C., some 700 years after its traditional founding

Tuesday’s Final Jeopardy! clue, in the category City Nicknames, took contestants back to ancient history. The clue read: “The poet Albius Tibullus called a city this in the late 1st century B.C., some 700 years after its traditional founding.” This literary and historical prompt pointed to a city with deep roots in Western civilization and a nickname that has endured for centuries.

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What is the Eternal City?

The correct response was: What is the Eternal City? This moniker refers to Rome, one of the most storied capitals in the world. Albius Tibullus, a Roman elegiac poet active in the first century B.C., used the phrase to capture the enduring nature of Rome, which at that time had already been a dominant political and cultural force for centuries.

The Origins of “The Eternal City”

The nickname “The Eternal City” (Roma Aeterna in Latin) reflected a widespread Roman belief in the city’s timelessness and divine destiny. According to Roman mythology and tradition, Rome was founded in 753 B.C. by Romulus. By the time Tibullus was writing in the 1st century B.C., Rome had survived wars, internal strife, and dramatic political transformations, including the rise of Julius Caesar and the transition from Republic to Empire.

Calling Rome the Eternal City was not merely poetic—many Romans genuinely believed the city was protected by the gods and destined to last forever. The phrase later gained renewed significance in the Christian era, especially as the city became central to the Catholic Church, reinforcing the notion of its spiritual permanence as well as its historical one.

Rome’s Influence Through the Centuries

Rome’s reputation as the Eternal City persisted through antiquity and well into the modern age. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 A.D., the city remained a focal point of power due to the continued presence of the papacy. During the Renaissance, Rome once again became a cultural and intellectual hub, attracting artists, scholars, and thinkers from across Europe.

Even today, the nickname “The Eternal City” continues to be used widely in literature, media, and tourism. It evokes a sense of awe, rooted in Rome’s vast contributions to law, architecture, language, and religion. The city’s landmarks, including the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and St. Peter’s Basilica, serve as living reminders of its enduring legacy.

Albius Tibullus and His Perspective

Albius Tibullus, the poet referenced in the clue, was a contemporary of other notable Roman writers such as Virgil and Horace. He is best known for his elegies—poems that often touch on themes of love, peace, and a pastoral ideal. While not as politically focused as some of his peers, Tibullus’s admiration for Rome is evident in his works, and his use of the phrase “Eternal City” helped immortalize a sentiment held by many Romans of his time.

By invoking Tibullus in the clue, the show highlighted how literature often plays a key role in shaping how cities and civilizations are remembered. The phrase he used has outlived empires and continues to shape the way people think about Rome, more than two thousand years later.

A Lasting Legacy

The phrase “The Eternal City” captures the spirit of Rome not just in the context of antiquity but as a symbol of cultural continuity. For centuries, people have turned to Rome as a benchmark of endurance, artistic excellence, and historical significance. Its identity as a city that transcends time has been reinforced through both myth and reality.

Tuesday’s clue was a fitting tribute to the power of language and history, as well as to the enduring identity of one of the world’s most iconic cities. By connecting ancient poetry with a recognizable nickname, Jeopardy! once again offered viewers a glimpse into the layered richness of human civilization.