Quirínal hills near the FORUM, or market-place. This assembly itself
was called the COMITIA CURIÁTA, i.e. an assembly composed of the 30
curiae. This body alone had the power of changing the existing laws;
of declaring war or peace; and of confirming the election of kings
made by the senate. The voting in this assembly was taken by each
curia, and the majority of the curiae decided any question.




CHAPTER IV.

THE EARLY GROWTH AND INTERNAL HISTORY OF ROME.


The position of Rome was superior to that of the other towns in the
Latin Confederacy. Situated on the Tiber, at the head of navigation,
she naturally became a commercial centre. Her citizens prospered and
grew wealthy, and wealth is power. Her hills were natural strongholds,
easily held against a foe. Thus we see that she soon became the most
powerful of the Latin cities, and when her interests conflicted with
theirs, she had no scruples about conquering any of them and annexing
their territory. Thus Alba was taken during the reign of Tullus
Hostilius, and his successor, Ancus Marcius, subdued several cities
along the river, and at its mouth founded a colony which was named
OSTIA, the seaport of Rome.

At this time (about 625) the Roman territory (_ager Románus_)
comprised nearly 250 square miles, being irregular in shape, but lying
mostly along the southern bank of the Tiber and extending about ten or