We have no actual records telling us about the beginnings of Rome.  According to legend, twin brothers Romulus and Remus founded Rome in 753 BC.  Abandoned by their uncle, they were rescued by a she-wolf.  They were found and raised by a shepherd.

The brothers vowed to build a city to honor the she-wolf on the hill where they had been found.  In a quarrel about the city boundaries, Remus was killed and Romulus became the first King of Rome - which was named after him.

Rome was ruled over by Kings until around 509 BC.  King Tarquinius the Proud was expelled from Rome and for the next 500 years Rome became a republic.  Power passed to the Senate.  This was a law-making body containing important nobles with two senior officials, called consuls, in charge.

By 50 BC, Rome had conquered many lands around the Mediterranean.  Rivalry in the army combined with arguments between the rich and poor caused a civil war.  

In 27 BC, Octavian became the first Roman Emperor.  This saw the end of the Roman Republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire.

Under the rule of the Emperors, Rome became extremely powerful.  The Roman Empire, at its largest size, covered much of Europe, North Africa and the Near East.

The growth of the Roman Empire was due to the Roman army - the fittest, greatest and best equipped army in the world at the time.  At first soldiers were volunteers.  Later they were reorganised and paid good wages.  This is when they became a powerful and disciplined fighting force.

There was a huge divide in Roman society between citizens and non-citizens.  Power was not shared equally. Rich citizens had more political power.

Their togas could identify citizens.  They were allowed to vote in elections and serve in the army.  Most upper class Romans became involved with politics or the army.  Poorer citizens worked as farmers, shopkeepers or craft workers.

Those without vote - women, slaves and those people born in Roman controlled areas (provinces) - had the least power.  These were non-citizens.  If they worked very hard for the Roman citizens they could be granted a special award of citizenship. 

The Empire was enormously successful and controlled a huge area.  Yet the Roman Empire began to decline after AD 180. There were many invasions from Barbarians.  In AD 395 the Empire was divided into two - a Western and an Eastern Empire.

Rome did not last much longer.  It was invaded and almost destroyed in AD 410 and was finally taken over in AD 476.  The Eastern Empire (known as the Byzantine Empire) remained powerful up to the Middle Ages.