Italy, the country as we know it as today, was only declared a state after its unification in 1861, when it became the Kingdom of Italy.  Just for perspective, the USA became a country in 1767, Canada in 1864, and Australia in 1901.  In fact, the majority of European countries didn’t gain their independence and became the country they are today, until the 19th century.

Before its unification, Italy was made up of numerous republics, some of which were independent and some of which were under Austrian control.

The birth of Italy is actually the birth of Rome, which began in the 8th century BC.  In Roman mythology, the story of the founding of Rome is that of Romulus and Remus, twin brothers, whose mother, Rhea Silvia, conceived them after being visited by Mars, the god of war.  Rhea Silvia was the daughter Numitor, the former king of Alba, and niece of the current one, Amulius.  Seeing the twins are a threat, Amulius ordered that they be killed, but instead they were abandoned on the bank of the River Tiber to die.  They were saved by Tibernius, Father of the River, and suckled by a she-wolf in the cave Lupercal, statues of which are displayed all over Rome, even today.   They were raised by a shepherd, and in adulthood became involved in the conflict between Numitor and Amulius, still unaware of their true identity.  At one point Remus was taken prisoner, and Romulus set out to free him.  In the process, they learned of their past, and joined forces with their grandfather, Numitor, to restore him to the throne.   Amulius was killed, Numitor was reinstated as the king of Alba, and the twins set out to build their own city. 

When they arrived back in the area of seven hills, they couldn’t agree on which hill to build their new city, Romulus preferred Palatine Hill and Remus preferred Aventine Hill.  Romulus eventually won, but not without the disapproval of his brother.  Soon after, Remus was killed, either by Romulus himself, or by one of Romulus’ supporters. 

Romulus would go on to found Rome, including its institutions, government, military and religious traditions.