The Early Romans: From Italic Tribes to Founding a Great Empire

Before the establishment of Rome, the Romans were part of a large group known as the Italic peoples who inhabited the Italian Peninsula. The origins and development of the early Romans offer a fascinating look into the transformation from a loose community of tribes into one of the most powerful empires in history.

Origins and Cultural Influences

The Romans are believed to have descended from the Latins, a group of Italic tribes. These Latins settled in the region of Latium, an area where Rome would eventually be founded. The early Romans were heavily influenced by neighboring cultures, particularly the Etruscans to the north and the Greeks to the south. The Etruscans significantly contributed to Roman architecture, religion, and governance, while the Greeks influenced their philosophical and cultural perspectives.

Society and Economy

Before Rome became a powerful city-state, the early Romans were primarily agricultural. They lived in small communities and engaged in farming, herding, and trade. Trade was an essential aspect of their economy, as they exchanged goods such as lamb and grain with neighboring communities. Under the protection of their god Mars, the Romans would also deal with property disputes, arrange marriages, and engage in social activities.

Foundation of Rome

According to legend, Rome was founded in 753 BCE by Romulus, who became its first king. However, the historical development of Rome involved the unification of various tribes and communities in the area. In its early years, Rome had a monarchy, a system of government where a single leader, or monarch, held complete authority.

Early Roman Tribes: The Titienses, Tities, Ramnenses, and Luceres

The first Roman tribes were likely of ethnic origin and consisted of the Titienses, Tities, Ramnenses, and Luceres. These tribes were eventually superseded by the creation of new local tribes, which consisted of 4 urban tribes and 16 rural or rustic tribes. The transition from these early Italic tribes to a cohesive entity would mark the beginning of a significant historical and cultural evolution that would eventually lead to the rise of the Roman Empire.

The Ramnes Tribe and the Founding of Rome

The Ramnes tribe is particularly noteworthy. They settled at Pallantium, a region that would eventually become Rome. It was a trading post run by Arcadian Greeks, known for their trade in salt. The Arcadian Greeks spoke to the Romans about their own mythology, which likely had a profound impact on the Roman values and legends.

The story that the Arcadians told the Romans about a twin brother named Ramnes, abandoned at birth, rescued by a wolf, and raised by a shepherd, was adopted by the Romans. This story eventually became the foundation for the legend of Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome. The legend of the ver sacrum (sacred journey) where young men would embark on a journey involving green woodpeckers and wolves to settle elsewhere, is an interesting cultural practice that reflected the nomadic and agricultural nature of the early Romans.

Conclusion

From a loose community of tribes in the Apennine mountains to the founding of Rome, the transformation of the early Romans was remarkable. The influence of neighboring cultures, the establishment of trade, and the unification of various tribes played crucial roles in the formation of the Roman Empire. Through the story of the Ramnes and the legend of Romulus and Remus, we can see the intricate heritage and cultural evolution that led to the rise of one of the most powerful empires in history.

Further reading on this topic can be found in 'From Barbarians to New Men' by Emma Dench, a leading scholar in the field of classics.