Page 22 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Rome

20  INTRODUCING ROME

Rome’s Early Development

According to the historian Livy, Romulus founded Rome
in 753 BC. Sometime later, realizing his tribe was short
of females, he invited the neighboring Sabines to a
festival, and orchestrated the mass abduction of their
women. Although Livy’s account is pure legend, there is
evidence that Rome was founded around the middle of
the 8th century BC, and that the Romans and Sabines
united shortly afterward. Historical evidence also gives Extent of the City
some support to Livy’s claim that after Romulus’s death 750 BC Today
Rome was ruled by a series of kings, and that in the 7th
century BC it was conquered by the Etruscans and ruled Ceremonial trumpets
by the Tarquin family. Last of the dynasty was Tarquinius
Superbus (Tarquin The Proud). His despotic rule led to
the Etruscans being expelled and the founding of a
Republic run by two annually elected consuls. The
uprising was led by Lucius Junius Brutus, the model
of the stern, patriotic Roman Republican.

Capitoline Quirinal Viminal

Palatine

Esquiline
Aventine Celian
The Seven Hills of Rome
By the 8th century BC, shepherds and farmers lived
on four of Rome’s seven hills. As the population grew,
huts were built in the marshy valley later occupied
by the Forum.

Augur, digging
Iron Age Hut foundation
Early settlers lived
in wattle-and- Temple of Jupiter
daub huts. This Renaissance painting by Perin del Vaga
Traces of their shows Tarquinius Superbus founding the
foundations have Temple of Jupiter on the Capitol, the sacred
been found on citadel of Rome.
the Palatine.

Etruscan jug
750 BC Tarpeia 700 BC Approximate (7th century BC)
betrays city to the beginning of Etruscan
Sabines period
750 700 650
715–713 BC King Numa
753 BC Legendary Pompilius establishes
founding of Rome 12-month calendar 659 BC Romans
by Romulus, first of destroy rival city,
seven kings Alba Longa
Romulus and Remus

US_020-021_EW_Rome_US.indd 20 15/03/17 4:19 pm