The Tiber River in the Italian Peninsula was the original site for the building of Ancient Rome. The region’s natural features, particularly the Tiber River, were critical to the city-state’s early development and success.
According to mythology, two twin brothers, Romulus and Remus, were abandoned as infants on the Tiber’s banks. The twins were discovered and rescued by Lupa, a she-wolf, who cared for them as if they were her own. This story of survival, fortitude, and destiny served as the foundation for Rome’s early years. The Tiber was more than just a river; it was a quiet witness to the emergence of a city that would eventually rule a large empire.
The river itself became important to the early Romans. Flowing across Tiber Island, a historic ford, the Tiber served as a natural crossing place for traders, travelers, and warriors. As time passed, ships ventured further up the river, bringing grain, timber, stone, and other items from the lush farmlands to the north and beyond. This river corridor, which spanned around 100 kilometers from the coast, transported materials that fed and constructed Rome.