The History of Rome spans over a thousand years, beginning with its legendary founding in 753 BC by Romulus. Initially a small settlement, Rome grew into a powerful city-state, expanding its territory through military conquests and alliances. By the 1st century BC, it became a dominant force in the Mediterranean, leading to the establishment of the Roman Republic. In 27 BC, Julius Caesar's adopted heir, Augustus, transformed Rome into an empire, marking the start of the Pax Romana, a period of relative peace and stability. The empire continued to expand until its division in AD 395, eventually leading to the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD.