Schematic map of Rome showing the Seven Hills and Servian Wall.

The Aventine is the southernmost of the seven hills on which ancient Rome was built. tl was named after Aventin Silvius (Aventinus Silvius) – the legendary king who ruled after Romulus. Acording to legend, Romulus had the idea to build a city on the Palatine, whereas his brother Remus thought the Aventine Hill was a place to start construction. As a result of this disagreement, Romulus killed Remus and started to build Rome on the Palatine hill. During the days of the Republic, the Aventine densely populated, mostly by plebians and slaves.