Rome is traditionally known as the 'City of Seven Hills' (Septimontium in Latin) because it was founded on and expanded across seven hills: Palatine, Capitoline, Quirinal, Viminal, Esquiline, Caelian, and Aventine. According to legend, Romulus founded the city on the Palatine Hill in 753 BC, and the seven hills played crucial roles in Rome's political, religious, and commercial development. This geographic feature influenced the city's urban planning and defensive strategy throughout its history.