Overview

From a small settlement on the banks of the Tiber emerged one of the most powerful civilizations in history: the Roman Empire. Rome shaped culture, commerce, and technology far beyond its borders. Its influence extends to the present day: in law, language, and even in the alphabet used to compose these very lines.

According to legend, the twins Romulus and Remus were abandoned on the Tiber and raised by a she-wolf. When they later founded the city, they got into a fight; Romulus killed Remus and became the first king of Rome.

The early history of Rome is closely linked to warlike myths. Particularly well-known is the “Rape of the Sabine Women,” in which the Romans abducted women from the neighboring Sabine people to strengthen the young city. When the Sabines later went to war against Rome, the women stood with their children between the opposing forces, thus preventing further bloodshed. According to legend, this led to the reconciliation and unification of the two peoples.