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Rome by xiquinhosilva from

10 Facts about the Foundation of Rome

Beginning with the founding of the Roman Republic (509-27 BCE) and continuing through the lifespan of the Roman Empire, ancient Roman culture had a significant impact on a large number of people throughout the known world of the time (27 BCE – c. 476 CE in the West and 1453 CE in the East).

At its height (about 122 CE), the Roman Empire encompassed Europe, from Italy to Britain to Greece to North Africa to Egypt to Asia Minor to Central Asia. Roman culture, including its language, customs, and civilization, had an impact on all of these areas’ populations and has left a lasting legacy that is being felt today.

Roman culture still significantly influences many aspects of modern life, including language, the arts, architecture, entertainment, and many others. As a result, comprehending the Romans and what they accomplished helps us to comprehend the present, our identity, and our activities.

Here are ten facts about the foundation of Rome.

1. There’s a legendary belief that Rome was founded by a demi-god

she-wolf by Jastrow from

Legend has it that a gigantic she-wolf raised two demigods there, Romulus and Remus until they were old enough to leave the area. In 753 BCE, it is said that Romulus killed Remus and then established Rome. Latium was a little city-state on the Tiber River from which Rome is believed to have developed.

Another version states that a woman by the name of Roma, who was a Trojan War survivor, built Rome after travelling there with the group commanded by the Trojan prince Aeneas. It was allegedly formerly a harbour city known as Rumon that belonged to the Etruscans. Before Rome rose to prominence in the area, the Etruscan civilisation was the most advanced; therefore, the assertion that Rome sprung from

2. The monarchy was abolished

Etruscan monarchs who held total authority over Rome from c. 753-509 BCE convened with a senate of affluent citizens, but they always had the last say. The affluent upper class was dissatisfied with the situation but was unable to overthrow the king by lawful means.

When the governor’s daughter was violated by the son of King Tarquin the Proud in 509 BCE, he refused to acknowledge responsibility for the crime, which led to his deposition and exile. The idea of representational government was later used to establish the Roman Republic. The senate was preserved, but the monarchy was abolished and a magistrate (praetor) who was accountable to the populace took its place.

3. Augustus Caesar was the first Roman Emperor

Empereur Auguste Portrait by The University of Texas at Austin from

Rome rose to prominence in the Mediterranean region and continued its expansion after the Punic Wars with Carthage (264鈥�146 BCE). Under the rule of Augustus Caesar, the first Roman emperor (r. 27 BCE鈥�14 CE), it developed into an empire.

At the Battle of Actium in 31 BCE, Augustus defeated Mark Antony (l. 83鈥�30 BCE) and Cleopatra (l. c. 69鈥�30 BCE), establishing the Roman Empire. In addition to the various dangers they brought to Augustus, Antony and Cleopatra were the final remnant of Julius Caesar and the previous Republic’s ideas.

While launching conquest wars, Augustus enlarged the areas already controlled by Rome. The emperor now had the last say on decisions, despite the Senate still being in place. When Marcus Aurelius, the last of the Five Good Emperors (r. 161鈥�180 CE), died in 180 CE, Augustus’s successful reign had established the Pax Romana (“Roman Peace”), which lasted for more than 200 years.

4. Roman Law was quite advanced

When the praetor was eventually replaced by two consuls, the Republic’s separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, which offered more stability and equitable governance than the previous monarchy did, were based on laws drafted by the Roman Senate and interpreted by eight judges.

Laws were passed to serve the needs of all citizens, not just the wealthy. The Twelve Tables, which were written in 449 BCE, are the most well-known law code and ensure that all people, regardless of social class, were treated equally before the law. Roman governance and law established a robust society that was able to grow through conquest. Rome expanded after the Punic Wars with Carthage (264鈥�146 BCE), when it emerged as the dominant force in the Mediterranean. The first Roman emperor, Augustus Caesar (r. 27 BCE鈥�14 CE), led it to become an empire.

5. The Romans used their language and culture to consolidate their power

Rome adopted a conquest and inclusion strategy: rather than enslaving and destroying a people’s cities, they made the area a province of Rome and awarded the inhabitants citizenship in exchange for upholding Roman law, paying taxes, and providing warriors for the Roman army. Roman engineering gave these provinces access to roads, aqueducts for water delivery, and building techniques utilising their special cement mixture, which is still not replicated today. This cement mixture was stronger than the building materials previously used and produced more durable buildings and bridges.

Their network of roads facilitated more effective trade between areas and allowed for speedy troop deployment and movement within a given area. It also allowed for effective communication between province governors and the capital. The Romans also promoted intermarrying between Roman and provincial elites, which strengthened relations between the provinces and Rome and helped Latin spread across the diverse peoples, consolidating their rule through linguistic and cultural cohesion.

6. The Roman religion was polytheistic

Bziza temple by Lehoux from

The polytheistic Roman religion emerged from early animism, the Etruscan religion, and, most significantly, the Greek religion. Early animism is the idea that everything, even inanimate objects, possesses a spirit. Jupiter was based on Zeus, Juno after Hera, and other Roman gods eventually became heavily influenced by their Greek counterparts. Ancestor worship was the primary focus of the early religion, and Rome’s history would see this part of the faith persist.

The most significant temples, where festivals and other significant events were held or at least begun, were situated on Capitoline Hill, including the well-known Saturnalia in honour of the god. The Vestal Virgins were among the most significant religious characters in Roman culture because they looked after the goddess’ temple, maintained her sacred fire, and thereby assured the wellbeing of Roman households and, by extension, the state.

7. It was always a very patriarchal society

Roman society was built on the foundation of the family, which was upheld and governed by the father, the paterfamilias, or head of the home. The father had ultimate authority over the lives of everyone living in his home, and if he felt he could not afford another child or just did not like the way it looked, he could even reject a baby and order that it be left on the streets.

The emperor accepted the idea of the paterfamilias and, in many instances, though not always, presented himself as the grandfather of the Roman people as a whole, acting solely in their best interests. The emperor gave the populace amphitheatres for amusement, and religious and cultural celebrations (including, among many others, Saturnalia and Lupercalia), as well as access to public gardens and Roman baths.

8. They took their sports seriously

Ercolano by Richard Nevell from

Romans worked at their numerous vocations, spent their free time at sporting events and theatrical shows, played sports, and loved water activities like swimming and boating as well as the public baths, all of which promoted social interaction. The main meal of the day was served in the late afternoon and varied based on one’s class.

Breakfast was a little snack of bread and pastries. While the rich could eat spicy meats and other fine foods, the poor frequently had only bread and watery soup or bread porridge. Romans of the upper classes lived in houses or villas, while the poor residing in apartment buildings (insulae), which were arranged in rows similar to apartment buildings in contemporary cities.

9. The Romans pioneered the concept of 鈥渇ast food鈥� 

Thermopolia by Isaac Harjo from

The thermopolia, or “places where something is found hot,” were the first facilities to offer “quick meals,” according to the Romans. A counter with fixed jars holding prepared food was a feature of a typical thermopolium. Customers may order their food at the counter, pay, and then take it to go.

While some of the ornate thermopolia provided dining and overnight accommodations, the majority were straightforward stores that delivered cheap meals quickly. The food was considered to be of poor quality, and the majority of the patrons were lower class, which made Thermopolia despised by the higher class.

10. Roman cultural legacies continue to influence the modern world

In a variety of ways, Roman cultural relics still have an impact on contemporary life. With its three distinct branches鈥攅xecutive, legislative, and judicial鈥攖he American government is based on the Roman Republic. Roman upper-class citizens believed that the general populace could not be trusted to choose the best candidate for an elected position of power, which is where the idea of the Electoral College originated.

Additionally, the first fire departments, police forces, and sanitary departments were formed by the Romans. They improved Greek drama and invented the amphitheatre, which is now the basis for modern stadiums and theatres.

The Romance languages of French, Italian, and Spanish, as well as many Latin words that are the foundation of English words, phrases, and legal concepts, are all derived from Latin, which they brought to their provinces.