The Early Territory of Rome
In its early years, Rome was confined to the central Italian region, surrounded by neighboring tribes and city-states. According to Roman legend, the city was founded in 753 BCE, and for the next few centuries, it was a small kingdom. However, after the establishment of the Roman Republic in 509 BCE, Rome began to extend its influence beyond its city walls.
Initially, the Romans focused on expanding their territory within Italy, defeating nearby rivals such as the Latin League, the Samnites, and other Italian tribes. Through a combination of military victories and alliances, Rome consolidated its control over central and southern Italy. The expansion was also fueled by the Roman military's innovative tactics, such as the use of the manipular legion.
The Italian Peninsula and the Conquest of Italy
By the 3rd century BCE, Rome had established itself as the dominant power on the Italian Peninsula. After a series of wars with other city-states and tribes, Rome had control over much of Italy. However, it was not until the Samnite Wars (343 BCE – 290 BCE) that Rome gained control over the entire peninsula.
One of the most important steps in this territorial expansion was the incorporation of Italian allies into the Roman system. Through the process of Latin Rights and the creation of the Roman Confederation, Rome offered citizenship and partial citizenship to conquered cities, ensuring their loyalty and effectively integrating them into Roman society. shutdown123