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The Latins were an Italic tribe which included the early inhabitants of a small region around Rome (the area between the river Tiber and the promontory of Mount Circeo). They spoke Old Latin, the language from which all Romance Languages diverged.
The Latins established numerous settlements in Latium, and their most famous city was Alba Longa. According to legend, Romulus and Remus, the mythical founders of Rome, were said to be descendants of the Latin king Numitor. The establishment of Rome marked the emergence of a new political and cultural center that was deeply influenced by Latin traditions.
The Latins made important contributions to the development of Roman society, government, and culture. Many aspects of Roman law, customs, and religious practices were influenced by Latin traditions. The Roman Senate, for example, had its origins in the councils of Latin chiefs.
As Rome expanded its influence and territory, it absorbed neighboring Latin communities and established alliances with others. The process of Roman expansion eventually led to the assimilation of the Latins and other neighboring groups into the broader Roman identity. As a result, the distinction between the Latins and other Roman citizens became less pronounced over time.
The Latin language, a member of the Italic branch of the Indo-European language family, played a central role in the subsequent development of the Roman civilization. Latin evolved over time and eventually became the official language of the Roman Republic and later the Roman Empire. Latin became the language of literature, philosophy, science, and law in the Roman world, and its impact extended far beyond the collapse of the Roman Empire. It served as the basis for the Romance languages that developed from it, such as Italian, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Romanian.
If you want to learn more about Latins, have a look at the following books:
