<P> The civilization began as an Italic settlement in the Italian peninsula , dating from the 8th century BC , that grew into the city of Rome and which subsequently gave its name to the empire over which it ruled and to the widespread civilisation the empire developed . The Roman empire expanded to become one of the largest empires in the ancient world , though still ruled from the city , with an estimated 50 to 90 million inhabitants ( roughly 20 % of the world 's population ) and covering 5.0 million square kilometres at its height in AD 117 . </P>
<P> The civilization began as an Italic settlement in the Italian peninsula , dating from the 8th century BC , that grew into the city of Rome and which subsequently gave its name to the empire over which it ruled and to the widespread civilisation the empire developed . The Roman empire expanded to become one of the largest empires in the ancient world , though still ruled from the city , with an estimated 50 to 90 million inhabitants ( roughly 20 % of the world 's population ) and covering 5.0 million square kilometres at its height in AD 117 . </P>
where did the civilisation of ancient rome begin
where did the civilisation of ancient rome begin
an Italic settlement in the Italian peninsula , dating from the 8th century BC , that grew into the city of Rome
an Italic settlement in the Italian peninsula , dating from the 8th century BC , that grew into the city of Rome