Once upon a time there were two twin brothers floating down a basket on a river left by a servant. As they floated down they were found by a she-wolf and they were raised by her.These two brothers were named Romulus and Remus.

The Romans created their empire by conquering territories with their well-disciplined and fearsome army, The Romans gained control over more and more of the territory that made up the Italian peninsula.

By the A.D. 100's, the Romans had conquered a empire that extended into three continents, Europe, Asia, and Africa. This small community went on to create one of the greatest empires in history, the Roman Empire.

Ancient Rome is located in Italy, Europe, near the Mediterranean Sea. Italy is 600 miles long and 150 miles wide.The water supply of fresh water is essential for all life, people, animals, and crops. The rivers provide for trade and transportation. The protection the Rome had was built by hills covered with forests of oak and chestnut

The highest positions in the government were held by two consuls, or leaders, who ruled the Roman Republic. A senate composed of patricians elected these consuls. Over time, the plebeians elected their own representatives, called tribunes, who gained the power to veto measures passed by the senate.

Ancient Rome was a slave based economy whose main concern was feeding the vast number of citizens and legionaries who populated the Mediterranean region. Agriculture and trade dominated Roman economic fortunes, only supplemented by small scale industrial production.

The government was in the hands of the wealthy and aristocratic citizens, called the patricians. The two highest magistrates were known as consuls. Ruling power was divided between the two consuls, who had replaced the king as Rome’s head of state. The Roman Senate was the most important political body. The magistrates had to submit all important measures to the Senate, which in theory was a purely advisory body. The three main branches of government were the consuls, the Senate, and the assemblies. A system of checks and balances helped prevent any one part of the government from becoming too powerful. The principle of checks and balances has been incorporated into many modern constitutional governments, such as that of the United States.

Their main weapon used was a small sword called a gladius. They also carried a pilum, a helmet, armor, shield, and a pack of supplies.