WHO WERE THE ROMANS? The Romans were an ancient people who came from Italy more than 2,000 years ago. They believed that they were descended from two brothers, Romulus and Remus, who built the city of Rome in 753 BC. It is more likely that Rome's powerful neighbours, the Etruscans, founded the city and ruled Rome until they were driven out in 510 BC. At first, the Romans were a Republic, but in 27 BC, after a terrible civil war, they became an Empire, ruled over by the emperor Augustus. The Roman Empire was the most successful power in the ancient world. It ruled over a vast area, which stretched from Britain to Egypt and dominated the Mediterranean. This site helps you to explore what life was like in the Roman Empire.