Rome

 Allied 15th Army Group, under the command of General Sir Harold R.L.G. Alexander, stood "shoulder to shoulder" to protect Rome from any destruction.  Even though Rome was declared an open city citizens were encouraged to protect public services, transportation, and communication. "Citizens of Rome," leaflets declared, "this is not the time for demonstrations. Obey these directions and go with your regular work. Rome is yours! Your job is to save the city, ours is to destroy the enemy!" 

South of Rome, the Germans constructed 3 major defense lines: the Barbara Line, ill defend, and improvised. 

It is difficult to justify the heavy investment of Allied lives and materials. Even though hundreds of miles were completely destroyed by the summer of 1944, the Rome- Arno Campaign did not end the war at hand. The Allied armies in Italy faced a further nine months of campaigning, under the same conditions they had previously been through. 

Info Courtesy of 

http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/romar/72-20.htm