Who first lived in the area that would later become Rome?

The area that would later become Rome was first inhabited by the Latins, an ancient Italic tribe, around the 10th century BCE. They settled on the Palatine Hill and the surrounding areas, forming small agricultural communities. Additionally, the Etruscans, a neighboring civilization, significantly influenced the early development of Rome through trade and cultural exchanges. These groups laid the foundation for what would evolve into the city of Rome.