Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book.Sample Book Insights: #1 The Romans developed a story about how their city was first founded, which traced its origins back to a remote past beyond even the age of Romulus and Remus. The Romans wanted to connect with the more ancient civilization of the Greeks, and so they adopted a Trojan Aeneas as their founder.#2 The Roman Empire was founded on the rural virtues of the Roman peasant, which clashed with the reality of the city. The Romans were not individuals, but a highly organized community striving together.#3 The Romans expanded into Italy in 753 BC, and by 510 BC, Rome was ruled by kings, the last three of whom were Etruscan. The first, according to legend, was Romulus, and his story is in keeping with the rootless, belligerent theme of his ancient ancestor Aeneas.#4 The Roman Republic was founded in 509 BC, after the Etruscan kings were overthrown. The Romans called the kings’ executive authority imperium, which was their right to give orders to ordinary people and expect those orders to be obeyed.