The city of Rome started as an unnoticed community of Latin-speaking shepherds, who settled on seven hills in modern-day Italy near the Tiber River. Since the river made it easy to farm crops and trade goods, the city eventually grew successful. Shortly afterwards, the strong citizens of the city raised an army to invade and conquer surrounding villages.

The first king of Rome was a man named Romulus, who took power in 735 B.C. There is a well-known legend told about him. Romulus and his twin brother Remus were heirs to the throne of their settlement. On the sandy bank of the Tiber River, their corrupt and sinister uncle left them in a basket. Like a selfish thief in the night, he wanted to steal their crown. They were rescued by a loving wolf and raised by a shepherd. As adults the brothers decided to construct a magnificent city on the spot where they had been saved, but an argument started between them and it soon escalated into a fight. It got out of hand and Remus was slain by Romulus who then named the city “Rome” after himself. Even though Rome’s roots were a handful of shepherds living on a couple of hills, it would slowly evolve into the greatest empire the world has ever seen.