The Rise of Rome: F"oundation, Republic, and Early Expansion

Rome is presented as the true inheritor of the Greek Hellenic tradition, filling the political vacuum left after Alexander the Great's conquests.
From humble beginnings, Rome grew into a vast empire stretching from North Africa to Great Britain and as far east as the old Persian empire's borders.
This period of domination lasted at least 1000 years, making it a significant focus of study.

Origin: The city was founded by twin brothers, Romulus and Remus.
Divine Lineage: They had divine parentage, either sons of Mars (Roman god of war) or Hercules, depending on the myth's version.
Abandonment and Rescue: Abandoned on the Tiber River, they were miraculously saved, found, and raised by a she-wolf, similar to the Tarzan story.
Human Adoption: A shepherd eventually found and raised them to manhood.
Leadership and City Founding: The twins became natural leaders, gathered followers, and decided to found a new city along the Tiber River.
Fratricide and Naming: They argued over which hill to build the city, leading to a fight where Romulus killed Remus. Romulus then founded the city, naming it Rome after himself.
Historical Date: The mythical founding date is given as April 21, 753 BC.
Significance: This myth gained popularity towards the end of the Roman Republic, reflecting Roman self-perceptions: a violent beginning, divine lineage (ordained for greatness), and the iconic image of the she-wolf and twins in art.

Origin: An epic poem written by Virgil towards the end of the 1st century BC, which became as popular as Homer's Iliad and Odyssey for the Greeks.
Similarities to Homer: Traces the wanderings of a hero after the Trojan War, much like Homer's Odyssey.
Hero: The hero is Aeneas, a Trojan (unlike Odysseus, who was Greek) who fled Troy with other survivors after its sack.
Journey: Aeneas's journey includes many perils (e.g., fighting the Cyclops, traveling to the underworld) before he eventually settles in central Italy with his Trojan cohort.
Significance: This myth directly connected Rome's past to the epic heroes of Greco-Trojan lore, providing Romans with an ancient and proud lineage.

Both Romulus and Remus and The Aeneid were popular myths, not historically accurate accounts of Rome's founding.
The true historical founding of Rome was less glorious and thus didn't feature in the foundation myths.

Subject State: Rome initially began as a subject state under the control of the Etruscans.
Etruscans: A somewhat mysterious people who established permanent settlements in Central Italy, evolving into the first Italian cities.
Similarity to Greek City-States: Etruscan cities were self-governing but maintained contact with neighbors, initially independent before being consolidated under Etruscan central authority.
Regal Period (Etruscan Kings): The Etruscans ruled Rome from approximately 753 BC to 509 BC. This period is often called the