The Roman empire once was the entire coast around the Mediterranean Sea, including Egypt and Greece. The city itself was originally seven different settlements on the seven hills, one supposedly founded by Romulus. Eventually, they combined into one city. A forum, which was a large area with markets and where public events such as speeches, elections and trials were held, was built in the center and a wall was built around the entire area of the seven hills. The city of Rome is west of the mountain range and east of the sea, with the Tiber river running beside it.