The Roman Kingdom, spanning from 753 BC to 510 BC, marks the initial 200 years of Rome’s history, governed by seven distinct monarchs. Each king left a unique mark on the city, either through the establishment of key Roman traditions or the construction of significant buildings.
During this period, Rome’s political structure was defined by an absolute monarchy, with the king wielding supreme power over the people, and the Senate serving as a relatively weak, oligarchic counterbalance. The hereditary nature of the monarchy only became relevant after the reign of the fifth king, Tarquinius Priscus.
This article provides a comprehensive examination of each of these seven Roman Kings, delving into their reigns, their contributions to Rome’s early development, and the myths surrounding them.
Table of Contents
Romulus: The Mythical Founder
Legend has it that Romulus, Rome’s legendary first king, initiated the city’s construction on the Palatine Hill in 753 BCE. He is credited with allowing people of all classes, including slaves and freemen, to become citizens of Rome without discrimination.
The well-known “Rape of the Sabine Women” incident, where Romulus invited neighboring tribes to a festival in Rome and abducted young women from among them, resulted in a war with the Sabines. The story of this event, though mythic in nature, underscores the complex origins of the city.
Romulus also played a pivotal role in establishing the Roman Senate, selecting 100 of the most noble men to form this advisory council, which became known as the patres, from which the patricians descended.
Additionally, he laid the foundation for the socio-political structures of voting and class divisions that would continue to define the Roman Republic and Empire.
Numa Pompilius: The Peaceful Sage
After the death of Romulus, Rome experienced an interregnum for a year during which ten senators ruled successively as interreges. It was Numa Pompilius, a Sabine renowned for his justice and piety, who was eventually chosen to succeed Romulus as king.
Numa’s reign was marked by an era of peace and religious reforms. He erected a temple to Janus and famously kept its doors closed throughout his rule, symbolizing the state of peace he maintained with Rome’s neighbors.
Numa also instituted various religious institutions, including the Vestal Virgins, the Salii, and the three flamines dedicated to Jupiter, Mars, and Quirinus. He is notably credited with establishing the position and duties of the Pontifex Maximus, the highest priest in the Roman state religion.
Tullus Hostilius: The Warrior King
Tullus Hostilius, in stark contrast to Numa’s peaceful reign, followed a more warlike path akin to Romulus. He engaged in wars against Alba Longa, Fidenae, Veii, and the Sabines. It was during Tullus’ rule that Alba Longa was entirely destroyed, with its population integrated into Rome.
Despite neglecting the worship of gods for most of his reign, Tullus experienced a religious awakening towards the end of his life. He called upon Jupiter for assistance, and the god responded with a bolt of lightning that consumed Tullus and his house.
Tullus is also remembered for constructing the Curia Hostilia, the new home for the Senate, which remained in use for 562 years after his death.
Ancus Marcius: The Keeper of Peace
Following Tullus Hostilius, the Romans sought a peaceful and religious leader as their new king, which led to the election of Numa’s grandson, Ancus Marcius. His reign was characterized by the preservation of peace, and he refrained from aggressive expansionism. Ancus entered wars only when it was necessary to defend Rome’s territories.
Lucius Tarquinius Priscus: The Etruscan Influence
Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, Rome’s fifth king, was the first of Etruscan birth to ascend the throne. After immigrating to Rome, he earned the favor of Ancus Marcius, who later adopted him as his son.
Upon becoming king, he launched wars against the Sabines and Etruscans, doubling Rome’s size and contributing great treasures to the city.
Tarquinius is renowned for his significant architectural contributions, including the construction of the Roman Forum, the temple to Jupiter on the Capitoline Hill, and the Circus Maximus.
His rule introduced Etruscan symbols of military distinction and civilian authority into Roman tradition, such as the scepter of the king, the senatorial rings, and the use of the tuba for military purposes.
Servius Tullius: Reforms and Class Structure
Following the death of Tarquinius Priscus, his son-in-law, Servius Tullius, assumed the throne. He continued the tradition of successful wars against the Etruscans, and used the spoils to build the first pomerium, a set of walls that encircled the Seven Hills of Rome.
Servius also made significant organizational changes to the Roman army and instituted a new constitution for the Romans. His reforms established the foundation for the Roman class structure, with voting rights based on socioeconomic status, effectively transferring power to the Roman elite.
Servius’s 44-year rule came to a sudden end when he was assassinated in a conspiracy led by his daughter, Tullia, and her husband, Lucius Tarquinius Superbus.
Lucius Tarquinius Superbus: The Tyrant and His Downfall
Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, while in power, conducted numerous wars against Rome’s neighbors, including the Volsci, Gabii, and the Rutuli. His reign was marked by notable public works, particularly the completion of the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus on the Capitoline Hill. However, Tarquin’s rule was characterized by violence, intimidation, and a blatant disregard for Roman customs and the Senate.
His rule took a sinister turn when his son, Sextus Tarquinius, raped Lucretia, the wife and daughter of influential Roman nobles. This sparked a revolution led by Lucius Junius Brutus and resulted in the expulsion of Tarquinius and his family in 509 BCE. The negative connotation associated with the word for “king” (rex) in Roman culture persisted until the fall of the Roman Empire.
Following this event, Brutus and Collatinus became Rome’s first consuls, marking the beginning of the Roman Republic, which would endure for the next 500 years, expanding Rome’s influence across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
In summary, the era of the Roman Kings, though shrouded in mythology, played a crucial role in shaping the early foundations of Rome. Each king, from the mythical founder Romulus to the tyrant Tarquinius Superbus, contributed to the development of the city’s political, social, and religious institutions.
Their reigns, characterized by wars, peace, religious reforms, and architectural achievements, set the stage for the emergence of the Roman Republic, which would ultimately become one of history’s most influential and enduring civilizations.