The once-small city in Latium that became the government seat of
the greatest world empire in ancient Bible times; today, it is
the capital of Italy. Rome is located inland about 25 km (16 mi)
up the Tiber River, on both banks, about halfway down the W side
of the 1,100-km-long (700 mi) Italian peninsula. Just when Rome
was founded, and by whom, is shrouded in legend and mythology.
Tradition says it was in 753 B.C.E. by a certain Romulus, its
first king, but there are graves and other evidence indicating
it was inhabited at a much earlier time. The first known
settlements were built on seven hills on the E side of the Tiber
River. According to tradition the Palatine hill was the site of
the oldest settlement. The other six hills located around
Palatine (beginning in the N and turning clockwise) were
Quirinal, Viminal, Esquiline, Caelian, Aventine, and Capitoline.
In time the marshy valleys between the hills were drained, and
in these valuable areas dwellings, forums, and circuses were
built. According to Plin