1 00:00:00,110 --> 00:00:11,710 The early history of Rome is somewhat shrouded in mystery. 2 00:00:11,710 --> 00:00:19,710 A lot of Rome's early historical records were destroyed when barbarians sacked the city in 390 BC. 3 00:00:19,710 --> 00:00:34,560 Historians and archaeologists have put pieces of the puzzle together to give us a picture of how Rome was likely founded. 4 00:00:34,560 --> 00:00:38,560 There are several different stories telling how the city of Rome was founded. 5 00:00:38,560 --> 00:00:44,240 Some are more historical, while others are mythological tales told by poets and authors. 6 00:00:47,799 --> 00:00:48,399 Historical 7 00:00:48,399 --> 00:00:52,539 Rome was likely first settled around 1000 BC. 8 00:00:53,619 --> 00:00:58,320 The first settlement was built on Palatine Hill, because it was easily defended. 9 00:00:59,780 --> 00:01:03,340 Over time, the six other hills around Palatine were also settled. 10 00:01:04,099 --> 00:01:06,579 As the settlement grew, it became a city. 11 00:01:06,579 --> 00:01:13,840 A public area was built between the hills of Palatine and Capitoline that became known as the Roman Forum. 12 00:01:15,439 --> 00:01:16,000 Mythical 13 00:01:16,000 --> 00:01:23,359 Roman mythology says that Rome was founded in 753 BC by the twins Romulus and Remus. 14 00:01:24,560 --> 00:01:30,519 While building the settlement on Palatine Hill, Romulus killed Remus and became the first king of Rome. 15 00:01:33,260 --> 00:01:35,299 Where does the name Rome come from? 16 00:01:36,579 --> 00:01:42,579 Roman mythology and history states that the name comes from its founder, Romulus. 17 00:01:42,579 --> 00:01:48,579 There are other theories put forth by historians and archaeologists as to where Rome got its name. 18 00:01:48,579 --> 00:01:53,579 It may have come from the Etruscan word for the Tiber River, Rumon. 19 00:01:53,579 --> 00:02:03,730 During the early formation of Rome, Italy was settled by many different peoples. 20 00:02:03,730 --> 00:02:07,730 These included the Latin peoples, the first to settle Rome, 21 00:02:07,730 --> 00:02:10,729 the Greeks, who settled along the coast of Italy, 22 00:02:11,689 --> 00:02:13,889 the Sabines, and the Etruscans. 23 00:02:15,169 --> 00:02:18,490 The Etruscans were a powerful people who lived nearby Rome. 24 00:02:19,210 --> 00:02:24,069 They likely had a significant influence on the culture and the early formation of Rome. 25 00:02:25,069 --> 00:02:27,189 Some of the kings of Rome were Etruscan. 26 00:02:30,330 --> 00:02:31,270 The Kings of Rome 27 00:02:31,270 --> 00:02:36,550 Before the Roman Empire was formed, Rome was ruled by kings. 28 00:02:37,310 --> 00:02:41,389 Roman history tells of seven kings starting with Romulus in 753 BC. 29 00:02:41,389 --> 00:02:47,469 Each king was elected by the people for life. 30 00:02:47,469 --> 00:02:52,050 The king was very powerful and acted as the leader of both the government and the Roman 31 00:02:52,050 --> 00:02:53,050 religion. 32 00:02:53,050 --> 00:02:58,229 Under the king was a group of 300 men called the Senate. 33 00:02:58,229 --> 00:03:01,449 Senators had little real power during the kingdom of Rome. 34 00:03:01,449 --> 00:03:10,759 They served more as advisors to the king and helped him to run the government. 35 00:03:10,759 --> 00:03:14,199 The last king of Rome was Tarchin the Proud. 36 00:03:14,199 --> 00:03:15,879 Tarkin was a cruel and violent king. 37 00:03:17,120 --> 00:03:22,099 Eventually, the Roman people and the Senate revolted and expelled Tarkin from the city. 38 00:03:23,139 --> 00:03:27,939 They formed a new government without a king called the Roman Republic in 509 BC. 39 00:03:31,599 --> 00:03:37,240 Under the Roman Republic, the government of Rome was ruled by two elected leaders called consuls. 40 00:03:38,300 --> 00:03:41,840 The consuls only served for one year and were advised by the Senate. 41 00:03:41,840 --> 00:03:48,319 It was during the Republic that Rome expanded to become one of the great civilizations in world history. 42 00:03:51,469 --> 00:03:53,629 Interesting facts about the early history of Rome. 43 00:03:54,909 --> 00:04:02,669 The poet Virgil told another founding tale of Rome where the Trojan hero Aeneas founded Rome many years before Romulus and Remus. 44 00:04:06,270 --> 00:04:14,770 Palatine Hill later became the home to many of the most wealthy and famous Romans such as Augustus, Mark Anthony, and Cicero. 45 00:04:15,870 --> 00:04:25,819 The hill stands around 230 feet above the city and provided good views and fresh air. 46 00:04:25,819 --> 00:04:29,600 When Rome was first founded there were only 100 senators. 47 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:35,500 More were added later and the number reached 300 by the founding of the Republic. 48 00:04:35,500 --> 00:04:46,790 Much of what we know about early Rome comes to us from Roman historians such as Livy and