In this episode of Foundations of Rome, we explore one of the most enduring legacies of the Roman world: Law. From the brutal clarity of the Twelve Tables to the refined principles of Roman jurisprudence, this is the story of how Rome turned justice into a civic virtue—and a system that would shape the Western world for millennia.

Before Rome rose to power, Etruria laid the groundwork. In this episode, we explore the Etruscan legacy—from their city planning and temple architecture to their religious rituals and cultural influence. Discover how this mysterious civilization shaped Rome’s identity, and why their shadow still lingers in the foundations of the Eternal City.

What happens when a city banishes its kings and bets everything on a new political experiment? In this episode, we trace the birth of the Roman Republic—where power was split between consuls, contested by patricians and plebeians, and written into law with the Twelve Tables. From class conflict to conquests, discover how tension became Rome’s engine of survival—and the blueprint for a system that lasted centuries.

Rome had walls—but no people. In this episode, uncover how Romulus filled his city with outcasts, how the abduction of the Sabine women turned conflict into unity, and how a line of legendary kings shaped Rome’s destiny—until monarchy collapsed and the Republic was born. Along the way, discover the surprising Roman origin of the ‘Tall Poppy Syndrome’—a metaphor still prevalent today.

Rome wasn’t born in a day—it was born in myth. From twins raised by a wolf to a brother’s fatal strike, discover how Rome’s legendary beginnings shaped the identity of the Eternal City.