The Rise of Rome The city of Rome itself stands on the banks of the river Tiber, very near the west coast of Italy. It marked the border between the regions of Latium (the territory in which the Latin language and culture was dominant) to the south, and Etruria (the territory in which the Etruscan language and culture was dominant) to the north. The Roman republic would expand outwards from this single city state. Eventually it would include all of the Italian peninsula, large parts of Gaul and Hispania, much of the Greek peninsula, parts of the Balkans, coastal regions of Asia Minor, part of the north African coastline, Corsica, Sardinia, and Sicily.

Structure of Ancient Rome Like much of early Rome, the ethnic origins of the Roman people are unclear. Existing on the border of Latium and Etruria, it is debated whether the Romans were originally an ancient Italic people from the Latin region who were influenced (some say conquered at one point) by the Etruscans, or Etruscans with Italic influence. Either way, it seems likely that the Romans were heavily influenced by both cultures, and incorporated aspects from both.

The Roman Republic had many different classes of people who existed within the state. Each one of them had differing rights, responsibilities, and status under Roman law. The citizens of Rome and their families were divided into two orders or classes, known as the Patricians and Plebeians. These two social classes were hereditary, based on one's ancestry.

In the early Republic, patricians monopolized all political offices and probably most of the wealth, but there are signs of wealthy and influential plebeians in the later republican records. Likewise, many patrician families lost both wealth and political influence in the later Republic. By the 2nd century BC the distinction was primarily only a religious one, as many of the priesthoods were reserved only for patricians.

How Did Rome Begin? According to mythology, at the end of the Trojan war, Trojan prince Aeneas sailed to Italy and founded the city of Lavinium. His son Lulus later founded the city of Alba Longa. From Alba Longa's royal family came the twins Romulus and Remus (supposedly sons of the god Mars by Rhea Silvia), who went on to found the city of Rome in 753 BC. Thus the Romans traced their origins back to the Aegean world.

What archaeology Tells US 800 BC or so, neolithic farmers settled on a series of seven hills where Rome now stands.

In the beginning, Rome had kings In the beginning, Rome had kings. Tradition portrays these kings more as culture heroes than as historical figures, each of them being credited with devising some aspect of Roman culture; for example, Numa Pompilius devised Roman religion, and Ancus Martius the arts of war.

There is, however, general agreement that Rome did have a series of monarchs (some of whom were of Etruscan origin; the influence of the Etruscans can still be seen on early Roman art and architecture) and that these kings were displaced by the Roman aristocracy sometime around 500-450 BC.