\f1 \fs22 The political, economic, and administrative center of the state, it was the hub of Roman history for almo
st a millennium. Even before its legendary foundation by Romulus (753 BC), its hills were inhabited by people who made their living from stock raising and small-scale trading, favored by their privileged position close to the Tiber Island. The natural fo
rd at this point was used for trade between Etruria and Campania, while it was possible to navigate the Tiber as far as the sea, 25 km away. The Latins chose the Palatine hill as the site of the <<first Rome.>> Later they drained the marsh of the Forum a
nd, in alliance with the Sabines, extended the confines of the city to the other hills as well. \par