According to Livy, Rome's first colonies were established in about 752 BCE at Antemnae and Crustumerium.

Other early colonies were established at Signia in the sixth century BCE, Velitrae and Norba in the fifth century BCE, and Ostia, Antium, and Tarracina in the late fourth century.

In this first period of colonization, which lasts down to the end of the Punic Wars, colonies are primarily military in purpose, being intended to defend Roman territory.

There are colonies of citizens and colonies of Latins, which differ in size, constitution, and region.

The coloniae civium Romanorum (colonies of Roman citizens) are specially intended to secure the two seacoasts of Italy, and are hence called coloniae maritimae.

Colonies of citizens are typically coastal and known as coloniae maritimae.

These are small (three hundred families), close to Rome, and enjoy no civic life of their own.

The third part of the conquered territory is handed over to the settlers.

The coloniae Latinae, of which there is a far greater number, serve the same purpose for the mainland.Coloniae also include towns founded by Rome to house those who hold Roman citizenship.

In Britain, this usually means those who have completed their military service in the Legions and are thus owed a grant of land by the state;The duty of leading the colonists and founding the settlement is entrusted to a commission usually consisting of three members.

These men continue to stand in the relation of patrons (patroni) to the colony after its foundation.

The colonists enter the conquered city in military array, preceded by banners, and the foundation is celebrated with special solemnities.

The coloniae are free from taxes, and have their own constitution, a copy of the Roman, electing from their own body their Senate and other officers of State.

To this constitution the original inhabitants have to submit.

The coloniae civium Romanorum retain Roman citizenship, and are free from military service, their position as outposts being regarded as an equivalent.

The members of the coloniae Latinae serve among the socii, the allies, and possess the so-called ius Latinum or Latinitas.

This secures to them the right of acquiring property, the concept of commercium, and the right of settlement in Rome, and under certain conditions the power of becoming Roman citizens; though in course of time these rights undergo many limitations.From the time of the Gracchi, the colonies lose their military character.

Colonization comes to be regarded as a means of providing for the poorest class of the Roman Plebs.

After the time of Sulla, it is adopted as a way of granting land to veteran soldiers.

The right of founding colonies is taken away from the people by Julius Caesar, and passes into the hands of the Roman emperors, who use it mainly in the provinces for the exclusive purpose of establishing military settlements, partly with the old idea of securing conquered territory.

It is only in exceptional cases that the provincial colonies enjoy the immunity from taxation that is granted to those in Italy.