The history of Rome began in 753 BC, when it was founded by Romulus and Remus. Initially a small settlement, it grew into a powerful city-state. By the 6th century BC, Rome had established a monarchy, which later transitioned to a republic in 509 BC. This period saw the expansion of Roman territory through military conquests and alliances. In 27 BC, Julius Caesar's adopted heir, Augustus, became the first emperor, marking the start of the Roman Empire. The empire reached its peak in the 2nd century AD, encompassing vast territories across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. However, internal strife and external pressures led to its decline, culminating in the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD.