{"id":9631,"date":"2023-11-05T04:55:17","date_gmt":"2023-11-05T03:55:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.learnancientrome.com\/?p=9631"},"modified":"2023-11-05T04:55:17","modified_gmt":"2023-11-05T03:55:17","slug":"who-and-when-was-ancient-rome-founded","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.learnancientrome.com\/who-and-when-was-ancient-rome-founded\/","title":{"rendered":"Who And When Was Ancient Rome Founded"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Ancient Rome, one of the greatest empires in world history, was founded sometime in the 8th century BC on the banks of the Tiber River in what is now Italy. To this day, Rome remains a place of great influence in our world. It is well-known as the birthplace of modern democracy and the Catholic Church, and its artistic and architectural accomplishments are still admired and enjoyed. Though its Republic and later empire rose to prominence over two thousand years ago, its legacy reverberates widely in our times.<\/p>\n

The early history of the empire is murky and unresolved. The founding myth is that Rome was originally founded by Romulus and Remus, twins who were fathered by the God Mars and saved from a river by a she-wolf. Archaeological evidence, however, dates Rome prior to the year 753 BC. The Roman historian Livy believed Romulus to be the first king of Rome but other classical sources dispute this, claiming prior kings. Despite the discrepancy of myth and history, Romulus remains the patron hero of Rome, often featured in art, literature and religious practices.<\/p>\n

The traditional date of the founding of the Roman Republic is April 21st, 509 BC. This occurred when the last king of Rome, Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, was overthrown and replaced with two consuls. The Republic was revolutionary in that it evenly dispersed power, enabling a transition to government based on laws and property ownership, instead of a single ruler who held absolute power. This powerful new system allowed for Rome to grow in power and expand exponentially. Despite internal struggles and civil wars, the Republic lasted for almost five centuries.<\/p>\n

The Republic was eventually replaced by the Roman empire in 27 BC, when Emperor Augustus grouped all of the republican offices into one, granting himself supreme power. The Empire was an authoritarian dictatorship governed by one leader, and was to remain in place until the mid-fifth century AD. Led by a series of successful emperors, the empire prospered, attaining control over vast areas of the Mediterranean basin and beyond. This span of 500 years is considered the Golden Age of Rome, during which its arts and infrastructure flourished.<\/p>\n