Roman Kingdom

The Roman Kingdom (753–509 BCE) was the earliest period in the history of Rome, according to legend and historical tradition. It represents the phase before the establishment of the Roman Republic. This era is somewhat shrouded in myth, and much of what we know about it is drawn from later historians, such as Livy and Plutarch, who blended legend with historical fact.

1. Legendary Founding of Rome (753 BCE)

The founding of Rome is steeped in myth and is traditionally dated to 753 BCE. According to legend, Romulus and his twin brother Remus, the sons of the god Mars and the priestess Rhea Silvia, were abandoned by the river Tiber. They were rescued and suckled by a she-wolf in a cave known as the Lupercal. The twins grew up to be natural leaders, and eventually, Romulus killed Remus in a dispute over where the city should be founded. Romulus became the first king of Rome, which was named after him.

2. The Seven Kings of Rome

The Roman Kingdom is traditionally said to have been ruled by seven kings, each contributing in some way to the development of the city. The kings were not absolute rulers but were advised by the Senate, a body of aristocratic elders, and their authority was not always uncontested. Here’s a brief overview of the seven kings:

1. Romulus (753–717 BCE):
   • Founder of Rome: Romulus is credited with the establishment of the city of Rome and its first institutions. He also organized the city’s military and government, and according to legend, Romulus invited outcasts and criminals to settle in Rome, thus creating a diverse population.
   • Sabine Women: Romulus is famously associated with the abduction of the Sabine women to ensure Rome had women to marry. This event led to a war with the neighboring Sabines, which ultimately ended in peace and the union of the two peoples.
2. Numa Pompilius (717–673 BCE):
   • Religious Reforms: Numa, a peaceful and religious king, is credited with establishing many of Rome’s religious and priestly offices. He is said to have founded the Pontifex Maximus (the chief priest), and instituted many important religious rituals and ceremonies.
   • Calendar: Numa is traditionally said to have reformed the Roman calendar, creating the 12-month year and the concept of leap years.
3. Tullus Hostilius (673–642 BCE):
   • Militaristic King: Unlike Numa, Tullus was a warlike king. He is credited with expanding Rome’s territory through military conquest, particularly in wars with neighboring cities like Albani and Veii.
   • Destruction of Alba Longa: Under Tullus, the city of Alba Longa was destroyed after a conflict between the Romans and the Albans, marking the end of their independence and incorporation into Rome.
4. Ancus Marcius (642–617 BCE):
   • Expansion and Infrastructure: Ancus is said to have expanded Rome’s territory further and is credited with building Ostia, the first port of Rome, located at the mouth of the Tiber River. This helped facilitate trade and Rome’s access to the sea.
   • Building Projects: He also initiated the construction of the Pons Sublicius, a wooden bridge across the Tiber River.
5. Tarquinius Priscus (617–579 BCE):
   • Etruscan Influence: Tarquin was an Etruscan by birth, and his reign is often associated with the increased influence of Etruscan culture and practices on early Rome. He expanded the city, oversaw the construction of the Circus Maximus (for chariot races), and began the construction of the Temple of Jupiter on the Capitoline Hill.
   • Tarquinian Reforms: He improved Rome’s military organization and public works, laying the foundation for the city’s future power.
6. Servius Tullius (579–535 BCE):
   • Social and Military Reforms: Servius Tullius is best known for his reforms to Rome’s social structure, including the establishment of the census to categorize citizens based on wealth and social status. He reorganized the Roman army and instituted the Servian Constitution, which restructured the Roman political system.
   • Defensive Walls: Servius also built the Servian Wall, a defensive structure around the city of Rome, to protect against external threats.
7. Tarquinius Superbus (535–509 BCE):
   • Tyranny and Overthrow: Tarquinius Superbus (Tarquin the Proud) is traditionally considered the last king of Rome. His reign was marked by increased authoritarianism, and he is said to have ruled with an iron fist, ignoring traditional Roman political norms and disregarding the Senate’s advice.
   • The Rape of Lucretia: The reign of Tarquinius ended after a notorious event known as the Rape of Lucretia. Tarquin’s son, Sextus Tarquinius, assaulted a noblewoman named Lucretia, which led to a revolt among the Roman nobility. The resulting uprising led to the expulsion of the Tarquin family from Rome and the end of the Roman monarchy.

3. Fall of the Roman Kingdom and the Rise of the Republic (509 BCE)

The expulsion of the Tarquin family in 509 BCE marked the end of the Roman Kingdom and the beginning of the Roman Republic. The monarchy was replaced by a republican system of government, with power placed in the hands of elected officials such as consuls, and a Senate composed of Rome’s aristocratic elite.

The fall of the monarchy is traditionally attributed to the tyrannical rule of Tarquinius Superbus and the personal sacrifice of Lucretia, whose tragic death symbolized the end of despotic rule and the foundation of the republic.

4. Legacy of the Roman Kingdom

Although the Roman Kingdom lasted less than two centuries, it laid the groundwork for Rome’s later political, military, and social structures. The kings established many of Rome’s religious and legal traditions, organized its early military, and began the urban development of the city. Even after the monarchy was overthrown, many of the institutions and practices initiated during the Kingdom period would influence Roman society for centuries to come.

• City Building: The foundation of Rome as a city, its infrastructure (such as roads and temples), and its urban organization were initiated during the monarchy.
• Religious Foundations: The religious practices, priesthoods, and temples established during the reigns of kings, especially during the time of Numa Pompilius, became central to Roman culture and politics in the centuries that followed.
• Social and Military Organization: The military and social reforms of kings like Servius Tullius laid the foundation for the expansion of Rome and its dominance over Italy.

Though much of the information about the Roman Kingdom is legendary, the stories of these early kings have become an integral part of Rome’s identity and history.