Geographic Advantages River access to port city of Ostia. Access to Med. trade Sits on north – south trade routes on peninsula

Geographic Advantage Mild climate with fertile soil Seas and Alps provided some protection from invasion Mid-point between eastern & western Med.

Romulus & Remus Twin sons born to the daughter of ousted king Floated down Tiber R. Saved by a she-wolf Found and raised by a shepard Founded a new city on the Tiber Romulus killed Remus

Aeneas Aenead – written by Virgil to rival Homer Escaped Troy to establish Alba Longa in Italy Romulus and Remus were his descendants

Etruscans Ruled Rome for about 100 years influencing development Sewers Alphabet Building techniques Arts Government forms Public spectacles