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Regions of Italy
Eturia, the northern region settled by the Etruscans and the Umbrians; Latium, the central region settled by the Latins and Sabines; and Campania, the southern region settled by the Greeks and Samnites; form Italy.
Origins of the City
During the Bronze Age (approximately 1500 BCE), the Apennine Culture was a mixture of indigenous hut dwellers and immigrants lake dwellers. The archeological evidence is limited to burial sites and practices. There are Seven Hills that form Rome. On the central Palatine Hill there are remains of post holes and huts. There are also remnants of Etruscan bronze urn huts. During the Iron Age (900 BCE), the area was dominated by the Villianovan Culture.
Mythological Traditions
As told by the Roman Historian Livy (59BCE-17CE), who lived during the time of civil wars, Rome's origins come from the Greek traditions. The Trojan War hero Aeneas from Homer's Iliad fled to Italy after the fall of Troy. Aeneas is the son of Achises and the goddess Venus. There he married Lavinia, the daughter of King Latinus (King of the Latins). Aeneas's son from his earlier marriage, Ascanius (also called Iulus) continued his line.
The Founding of Rome
After a long succession of Kings, King Numitor had a daughter. He was told by an oracle that his daughter's descendants would overthrow him. Being a foolish mortal, Numitor forced his daughter to become a Hestia Virgin. Of course his daughter Rhea Silivia is raped by Mars, and she gives birth of Romulus and Remus. Rhea Silivia, fearful of her father, leaves the twins in the wilderness. There, they are suckled by a wolf. However, Livy suggest that perhaps they were really suckled by a prostitute. The word Lupa means both Wolf as well as a prostitute. When the twins are old enough they overthrow their grandfather and decide to found a city. Romulus founded his city on the Palatine Hills, while Remus went on to the Aventine Hills. Both waited for a sign from the gods. Remus was the first to spot six vultures (Romans believed in the prophetic nature of birds), but Romulus spots twelve vultures instead. Romulus recieves the better omen. Several versions of what follows exist, but the end result in all of them is that Romulus kills Remus and firmly establishes Rome. Wheter Romulus's fratricide was warranted or instead, murder fluctuates in the myths. There is much similarity to their story and the Biblical tale of Cain and Abel.
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