What is the basis for the position that the woman of Revelation 17 refers to Rome? Revelation 17 speaks about a woman, but it seems likely that it is figurative rather than literal.  She is attributed with the name "Babylon the Great".  However, Matthew Henry and other commentators suggest that this is actually referring to Rome rather than Babylon.

What is the reasoning behind considering the woman to represent Rome?
The basis of this identification comes from Revelation 17:9-10.


  This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated; they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he does come he must remain only a little while.


The "seven mountains on which the woman is seated" of verse 9 appears to be a reference to the Seven Hills of Rome, while the seven kings of verse 10&mdash;in particular the one currently in power when Revelation was written&mdash;appears to refer to the Roman Emperor.

Supporting this identification of Rome with Babylon is 1 Peter 5:13 in which Peter, writing from Rome, refers to his city as Babylon.


  Your sister church in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings; and so does my son Mark.