Rome has seen millions of people, over thousands of years, wander its streets. It has served as the backdrop to many battles, and many invasions, but this one might appear a little different.
That’s right, wild boars have now taken to the streets of Rome. The video above depicts 12 boars wandering the streets of one of Rome’s northern suburbs.
However, that is not all. The Italian newspaper Repubblica shared another video, shot on CCTV cameras, which showed a family of boars sauntering through the hectic streets of Rome’s city center.
However, Rome residents didn’t take easily to these #cinghiali (wild boars in Italian). Residents with dogs were especially taken aback at the presence of the boars on their streets.
But then again, some residents continued without batting an eyelash.
Business as usual in the eternal city, perhaps. Except, now, this ‘wild boar’ issue has transcended the realm of the everyday problem and into the ethereal, suspended grip of Roman politics.
As mayor Virginia Raggi seeks a second term as Rome’s mayor, she has found herself the brunt of political slams blaming her for this wild boar issue. “My detractors continue to use photos and videos of wild boars around Rome, giving me full responsibility.”
Raggi then went on to sue the regional government of the Lazio region of Italy. She defended the city’s actions and claimed the regional government was responsible, citing a 1992 law.
However, for many, life proceeded undeterred. The wild boars stopped few in the eternal city from going about their day (except for the thousands of dog owners, that is).
And yet, this moment will get lost in the thousands of years of history that this city has to offer.
But still, this moment reminds us that this city, this eternal house of western history, still finds itself falling prey to the wickedest of evils: an unknowing, wandering group of wild boars wreaking havoc on the city’s traffic and scaring its people.
Who knows what will come next out of Rome?
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