When early Americans set out to design the nation’s capital in the late 18th century, they weren’t just building a government—they were building an identity. And to do that, they looked across the Atlantic, to the ancient world. The United States Capitol, the iconic white-domed structure that anchors Washington, D.C., carries a name and symbolic legacy that can be traced directly to one of Rome’s legendary seven hills: the Capitoline.
The connection wasn’t accidental. It was intentional, aspirational, and deeply symbolic.
A Vision Inspired by Rome
In 1791, as President George Washington oversaw plans for the new federal district, the French-born architect and engineer Pierre Charles L’Enfant proposed a layout inspired by the classical ideals of democracy and republicanism. Rome—long celebrated as the center of republican virtue before the rise of emperors—became the natural reference point.
According to historical records, Thomas Jefferson, then Secretary of State and a lover of classical architecture and ancient civilizations, played a significant role in shaping the Capitol’s name. Jefferson admired Roman law, philosophy, and civic architecture. He believed America’s new government should reflect the strength and stability associated with the Roman Republic.
Thus, the hill chosen for the new legislative building was called Capitol Hill, directly referencing Rome’s Capitoline Hill, the symbolic heart of ancient Roman political and religious life.
Why the Capitoline Hill?
In ancient Rome, the Capitoline Hill was home to key temples, including the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, and it served as a center of governance. It stood for power, law, and the sacred duty of leadership—values the founders wanted to embed into the young nation.
By borrowing the name “Capitol,” America aligned itself with the legacy of republican governance and civic duty. The founders hoped the new building would serve not just as a place where laws were debated, but as a symbol of the endurance of democratic ideals.
Constructing a New Symbol
The United States Capitol building’s construction began in 1793, with George Washington laying the cornerstone. Its design incorporated neoclassical elements—columns, domes, and symmetry—mirroring the architectural language of ancient Rome and Greece. It wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about identity.
By the time the Capitol was completed, it had become more than a structure. It was a declaration: that the United States was the modern heir to the ideals of classical republicanism.
A Name That Still Matters
Today, millions of visitors walk the steps of the Capitol, often unaware that its name carries over two thousand years of history. From the marble halls of Washington to the ruins of Rome, the word “Capitol” remains a bridge between past and present—a reminder that ideas can travel farther than empires.
What began on a Roman hilltop found new life in the heart of Washington, shaping not just a building, but the symbolism of American democracy itself.
