Latins

Roman Empire	Browse Topics	Alphabetical index	Site Map	Site News	Links

Latium, ancient homeland of the Latin people.

LATINS, or Latini, the inhabitants of ancient Latium, in Italy, and from whom the language of Rome (Latin) was obtained. These people were of great antiquity and their distinguished leader, Ascanius, son of Aeneas, aided in building the town of Alba Longa, which was the most important of their cities. Since Rome was held as a colony of Alba Longa, the Latin language was adopted by the Romans.