Located in central Italy along the Tiber River, the historic city was built across seven hills. The surrounding region, known as Latium, features a Mediterranean landscape of rolling plains and volcanic lakes, bounded by the Apennine Mountains to the east and the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west. The volcanic origin of the area has created a rich, fertile soil that supported the region's early agricultural development.
The period of ancient Rome occurred from Rome’s founding in 753 BC until the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD. It is believed that the population of Ancient Rome peaked at around 500,000 people, although some estimates show that there was potentially one million or more inhabitants.
Ancient Rome has contributed to many of the modern ideas, beliefs and industries that we have today. This civilization contributed greatly to the world in areas including art, law, politics, religion, language and technology. A diverse system of roads and aqueducts and the construction of buildings including palaces and public facilities showcased just how technologically advanced the Romans could be.
Much of the activity in Ancient Rome centered around the city of Rome located on seven hills. There were many structures constructed in the city, including the Colosseum, bath complexes, gyms, marketplaces and theaters. The native language of ancient Romans was Latin. The spoken language throughout the Roman Empire was Vulgar Latin, which has different vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation than Classical Latin. The educated elite of the Roman Empire began speaking Greek, which eventually became the official language.
In terms of religion in Ancient Rome, beliefs were based upon interactions between humans and gods. These gods were not personified like in Greek mythology but instead were represented by spirits known as numina. A strict system of offices organized religion in Ancient Rome. As the Romans increased their interactions with the Greeks, Roman gods became associated with Greek gods. During the 1st Century, Roman’s policy on Christianity was largely negative, with some Christians being punished by death just or their beliefs. Later, it became a supported religion.
Ancient Rome continued to grow and make advanced that would help contribute to innovation today until the fall of the Western Roman Empire.