Numerous myths exist about the creation of Rome, from Romulus and Remus to Prince Aeneas and his Trojan warriors. Regardless of the reason, it was believed to be founded around 753 BC along the Tiber River, a crossroads for traffic and trade. The Etruscans gained political control of the small settlements that had popped up in the area and created the Roman Kingdom. It wasn’t until the Latin and Sabine tribes rose up against the Etruscans did a government form that limited the power of its rulers. Livy, an author wrote that the Republic was created in 509 BC by Lucius Junius Brutus after overthrowing the last King of Rome, Tarquin the Proud. The Republic prospered through the creation of the constitution, and the Senate, and through military conquest subdued the Italian peninsula and beyond. The founding of colonies maintained the control of many strategic areas also. After numerous Punic Wars, the Republic expanded to include Sicily, Hispania, and parts of Africa and signified the rise of Rome as a true power. By the 2nd …show more content…
Rome was being ruled by Mark Antony until Octavian arrived in Rome and with Marcus Aemilius Lepidus formed the second Triumvirate. At this time somewhere between 100-300 senators were executed due to their support of Liberatores, the group responsible for Caesar’s death. This triumvirate broke the empire into 3 parts: Lepidus was left to Africa, Antony to the eastern provinces, and Octavian remained in Italy and controlled Hispania and Gaul. After deteriorations of relationships, Lepidus was forced to retire, and Antony lived in Egypt with Cleopatra which was considered traitorous. Antony’s announcement of his and Cleopatra’s children the rulership of the eastern provinces led to war between Octavian and Antony and led to the Battle of Actium in 31 BC and suicide of Antony and Cleopatra. At this point Rome now controlled