When in Rome, it is said, one should do as the Romans do.
And that is exactly what citizens of the Eternal City did this weekend as they took a step back in time to celebrate the 2,766th birthday of the capital.
Each year the streets become a stage for troupes of actors dressed as denizens of the ancient city, as they mark the legendary foundation of the Birth of Rome.
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Actors dressed as ancient Roman maids march in front of the Coliseum in a commemorative parade during festivities marking the 2,766th anniversary of the founding of Rome
The capital celebrates its founding annually based on the legendary foundation of the Birth of Rome
Actors dressed as the denizens of ancient Rome participate in parades and re-enactments of the ancient Roman Empire
Hundreds of actors, dressed as centurions, goddesses and politicians, took part in the elaborate spectacle
Women dressed as ancient Roman maids with flowered wreathes in their hair marched in the commemorative parade
Children dressed in white gowns also took part in the annual Natale di Roma festival celebrating the founding of Rome
The parade marches past the Roman monument of the Colosseum, which in its heyday could seat 50,000 spectators
The annual Natale di Roma festival sees Romans join in parades and re-enactments of ancient Rome as it was said to have been in 753 BC. The festivities are centred on the legend of the founding of the city.
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According to the legend, Rome's history began when the pagan god Mars, enchanted by the beauty of a Vestal Virgin, snuck into her temple in the town of Alba Longa to sleep with her.
When she birth to twin boys, the king ordered that the infants should be thrown in to the Tiber.
When in Rome! City celebrates 2,766th birthday
Each year the city comes alive with eenactments of scenes from Roman history, concerts and fireworks
A man dressed as an ancient Roman soldiers prepares to join a march. The eternal city is celebrating its birthday - number 2762 - today
Legend says that Rome was founded by Romulus in 753BC in an area surrounded by seven hills
According to the legend, Rome's history began when the pagan god Mars, enchanted by the beauty of a Vestal Virgin, snuck into her temple in the town of Alba Longa to sleep with her
A young boy in costume parades in the ancient areas of Colosseum, Circus Maximus and the Roman Forum. When the Vestal Virgin gave birth to twin boys, the king ordered that the infants should be thrown in to the Tiber
An actor dressed as a Roman barbarian (left) and a costumed actress dressed as the Goddess Roma (right)
Actors dressed as ancient gladiators fight in front of crowds enjoying the annual celebration
As soon as they were born the pair were placed in a trough and thrown into the River Tiber, but the trough came ashore and they were found by a wolf who fed them with her milk.
They were then raised by a shepherd, Faustulus. Reaching adulthood the twins decided to found a town, and chose the place where the wolf had nursed them.
Romulus began to build walls on the Palatine Hill, but Remus jeered at the low walls, leaping over them, and an angry Romulus killed him.
Romulus is alleged not to have died, just disappeared one day in a violent storm. The Romans, believing he had been taken up to heaven, worshipped him under the name of Quirinus.