Rome notes

• The Romans not only imitated Greek civilization but also improved it; at least as far as government, warfare, and architecture 
• Indo- European immigrants arrive in a Mediterranean land with farming resources that were similar to those of Greece 
• The Indo-European settlers formed various tribal groups, among them the Latin people of central Italy near the mouth of the Tiber River 
• The Etruscans were non-Indo-European immigrants who arrived in Italy from somewhere to the east about the ninth century BC
• The Greek city-states began to plant colonies in Southern Italy as early as the eighth century BC
• The king was advised by a council of elders called the Senate (meaning "old man" in Latin) 
• Patricians (men with fathers) that is fathers who already belong in a leading family. When a king died, the Senate chooses his successor from his own members. 
• Tarquin the Proud ruled from 535-509 BC
• In 509 BC when the poeple overruled Tarquin, monarchy was abolished replaced with the republic- a mixture of Greek and oligarchy  
• Plebians were common people 
• Two consuls were elected to share power previously held by the king. The two of them could veto each other guaranteeing against a revival of monarchy