Rome was originally a small town on the banks of the Tiber River in the west of Italy. Though Rome owed its prosperity to trade in the early years, it was war which would make the city a powerful force in the ancient world. The Roman army battled first against its tribal neighbours and Etruscan towns within Italy, and later came to dominate the Mediterranean and at its height the provinces of Britannia and Asia Minor.

With this conquest came new Roman laws, roads, architecture, coins, cloths and jewellery.

This large Roman Owl is made from pewter and is supplied on a pin with clasp. The information on the reverse of the card explains how Rome grew from a small town into a powerful city and empire.