Early Rome History

Early Rome History

There is a certain mystique surrounding Rome’s early past. A great deal of Rome’s prehistoric documentation was lost during the 390 BC barbarian invasion. With the help of historians and archaeologists, we can now piece together the history of Rome’s probable founding.

Early Rome History

The Founding of Rome

The founding of the city of Rome is the subject of multiple legends. Some are mythical stories narrated by poets and writers, while others are more historically based.

Historical: Most likely, Rome was initially established about BC 1000. Palatine Hill was chosen for the first settlement because it could be readily fortified. The six additional hills surrounding Palatine were also populated throughout time. The town expanded and turned into a city. The Roman Forum is the name given to the public space that was constructed between the Capitoline and Palatine hills.

Mythical:Roman legend states that the twins Romulus and Remus established Rome in 753 BC. Romulus became the first ruler of Rome after killing Remus while establishing the colony on Palatine Hill.

Where does the name “Rome” come from?

According to Roman mythology and history, Romulus, the founder, is the source of the name. Regarding the origin of the name Rome, historians and archaeologists have proposed various theories. The word “rumon” may have originated from the Etruscan name for the Tiber River.

Settlement of Italy

Italy saw the settlement of numerous ethnic groups in the early years of Rome’s existence. These included the Greeks who settled along the Italian coast, the Etruscans, the Sabines, and the Latin peoples who were the first to settle in Rome. Near Rome lived a powerful people known as the Etruscans. They most certainly had a big impact on Rome’s early development and culture. Etruscan rulers ruled among the Roman emperors.

The Kings of Rome

Prior to the establishment of the Roman Republic, Rome was governed by monarchs. Seven kings are mentioned in Roman history, the first being Romulus in 753 BC. Every king was chosen for life by the populace. The powerful monarch served as the head of the Roman church and the government. The senate, a body of 300 men, was in charge of the king. When Rome was a kingdom, senators had very little actual authority. They assisted the monarch in managing the administration and acted more as consultants to him.

Beginning of the Roman Republic

Tarquin the Proud was the final ruler of Rome. He was a fierce and harsh monarch. Tarquin was eventually driven from the city by a senate uprising and the Roman populace. The Roman Republic was a new type of government that was established in 509 BC without a monarch.

Rome was governed by two consuls, who were chosen by the people to administer the city under the Roman Republic. The senate provided advice to the consuls, who held office for a mere year. Rome grew during the republic to become one of the greatest civilizations in human history.

Facts About the Early History of Rome

• The poet Virgil told another founding tale of Rome where the Trojan hero Aeneas founded Rome many years before Romulus and Remus.
• Palatine Hill later became the home to many of the most wealthy and famous Romans such as Augustus, Mark Antony, and Cicero. The hill stands around 230 feet above the city and provided good views and fresh air.
• When Rome was first founded there were only 100 senators. More were added later and the number reached 300 by the founding of the republic.
• Much of what we know about early Rome comes to us from Roman historians such as Livy and Varro.

Read also:Timeline of Ancient Rome