In the meantime, the city was enlarged by taking in various plots of ground for the erection of buildings, while they built rather in the hope of an increased population in the future, than in view of the actual number of the inhabitants of the city at that time.  Next, that the size of the city might not be without efficiency, in order to increase the population, following the ancient policy of founders of cities, who, by bringing together to their side a mean and ignoble multitude, were in the habit of falsely asserting that an offspring was born to them from the earth, he opened as a sanctuary the place which, now inclosed, is known as the “two groves,” and which people come upon when descending from the Capitol.  Thither, a crowd of all classes from the neighbouring peoples, without distinction, whether freemen or slaves, eager for change, flocked for refuge, and therein lay the foundation of the city’s strength, corresponding to the commencement of its enlargement.  Having now no reason to be dissatisfied with his strength, he next instituted a standing council to direct that strength.  He created one hundred senators, either because that number was sufficient, or because there were only one hundred who could be so elected.  Anyhow they were called fathers[8], by way of respect, and their descendants patricians.

By this time the Roman state was so powerful, that it was a match for any of the neighbouring states in war:  but owing to the scarcity of women its greatness was not likely to outlast the existing generation, seeing that the Romans had no hope of issue at home, and they did not intermarry with their neighbours.  So then, by the advice of the senators, Romulus sent around ambassadors to the neighbouring states, to solicit an alliance and the right of intermarriage for his new subjects, saying, that cities, like everything else, rose from the humblest beginnings:  next, that those which the gods and their own merits assisted, gained for themselves great power and high renown:  that he knew full well that the gods had aided the first beginnings of Rome and that merit on their part would not be wanting:  therefore, as men, let them not be reluctant to mix their blood and stock with men.  The embassy nowhere obtained a favourable hearing:  but, although the neighbouring peoples treated it with such contempt, yet at the same time they dreaded the growth of such a mighty power in their midst to the danger of themselves and of their posterity.  In most cases when they were dismissed they were asked the question, whether they had opened a sanctuary for women also:  for that in that way only could they obtain suitable matches.