⛲️Origins of Rome Unit 5 – Regal Period – The Seven Kings of Rome

Key Figures and Timeline

• Romulus, the legendary founder and first king of Rome, ruled from 753 BC to 717 BC
• Numa Pompilius, the second king, known for establishing religious institutions and peaceful reign (717-673 BC)
• Tullus Hostilius, the third king, known for his military conquests and destruction of Alba Longa (673-642 BC)
• Ancus Marcius, the fourth king, expanded Roman territory and built the port of Ostia (642-617 BC)
• Tarquinius Priscus, the fifth king, initiated major construction projects like the Circus Maximus (616-579 BC)
• Servius Tullius, the sixth king, implemented social and political reforms, including the census and division of citizens into classes (578-535 BC)
• Tarquinius Superbus, the seventh and final king, known for his tyrannical rule and overthrow in 509 BC, leading to the establishment of the Roman Republic

Political Structure and Governance

• Monarchy was the primary form of government during the Regal Period, with kings holding absolute power
  • Kings were elected by the Senate and confirmed by the people through the Curiate Assembly
  • Succession was not always hereditary, as some kings were chosen based on their merits or popularity
• The Senate, composed of wealthy patricians, served as an advisory council to the king
  • Senators were appointed for life by the king and provided counsel on matters of state
• The Curiate Assembly, consisting of all male citizens, had the power to approve or reject laws proposed by the king
• Kings held imperium, the supreme executive power, allowing them to command armies, administer justice, and perform religious duties
• Servius Tullius introduced the Centuriate Assembly, which divided citizens into classes based on wealth and granted voting rights proportional to their economic status

Legendary Founding and Early Development

• According to legend, Romulus and his twin brother Remus founded Rome on April 21, 753 BC
  • The twins were said to have been raised by a she-wolf after being abandoned in the Tiber River
• Romulus established the city's first institutions, including the Senate and the army
• The Rape of the Sabine Women, a legendary event in which Romulus and his men abducted women from neighboring tribes to populate the city
• Early Rome was a small settlement on the Palatine Hill, gradually expanding to include the surrounding hills
• The city's population grew through the incorporation of neighboring tribes and the influx of immigrants

Major Events and Achievements

• The construction of the Cloaca Maxima, Rome's first sewer system, during the reign of Tarquinius Priscus
• The building of the Circus Maximus, a large stadium for chariot races and public events, initiated by Tarquinius Priscus
• The expansion of Roman territory through military conquests, particularly under Tullus Hostilius and Ancus Marcius
  • Tullus Hostilius destroyed Alba Longa, Rome's mother city, and incorporated its population into Rome
• The establishment of the port of Ostia by Ancus Marcius, facilitating trade and commerce
• The construction of the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus on the Capitoline Hill, commissioned by Tarquinius Superbus

Social and Cultural Aspects

• Roman society was divided into two main classes: the patricians (aristocrats) and the plebeians (commoners)
  • Patricians held most of the political power and controlled the majority of the land
  • Plebeians were mostly farmers, artisans, and laborers, with limited political rights
• The family (familia) was the basic unit of Roman society, with the father (paterfamilias) holding authority over all family members
• Religion played a significant role in Roman life, with the king serving as the chief priest and performing important religious ceremonies
  • Numa Pompilius is credited with establishing many of Rome's religious institutions and practices
• The Roman calendar was developed during the Regal Period, with the year divided into 10 months initially, and later expanded to 12 months

Military Campaigns and Expansion

• Kings led military campaigns to expand Roman territory and protect the city from external threats
  • Tullus Hostilius waged war against Alba Longa and other Latin cities, expanding Roman influence in the region
  • Ancus Marcius conquered several Latin cities and extended Roman territory to the coast
• The Roman army was organized into legions, consisting of both infantry and cavalry units
  • Soldiers were initially drawn from the ranks of property-owning citizens, with military service being a duty and privilege
• Tarquinius Priscus and Servius Tullius reformed the army, organizing it into centuries based on wealth and equipping soldiers with standardized weapons and armor
• The conquest of Gabii, a rival city, by Tarquinius Superbus through treachery and deceit

Legacy and Historical Significance

• The Regal Period laid the foundation for many of Rome's enduring institutions, such as the Senate, the assemblies, and the military
• The social and political reforms implemented by Servius Tullius, such as the census and the division of citizens into classes, had a lasting impact on Roman society
• The overthrow of Tarquinius Superbus and the establishment of the Roman Republic in 509 BC marked a significant turning point in Roman history
  • The Republic would go on to become one of the most powerful and influential states in the ancient world
• The legends and myths surrounding the Regal Period, such as the story of Romulus and Remus, became an integral part of Roman cultural identity
• The achievements and failures of the Roman kings served as lessons and cautionary tales for future Roman leaders

Myths vs. Historical Evidence

• Much of the information about the Regal Period comes from later Roman historians, such as Livy and Dionysius of Halicarnassus, who wrote centuries after the events they described
  • These accounts often blend myth, legend, and historical fact, making it difficult to separate reality from fiction
• Archaeological evidence, such as the remains of early Roman settlements and fortifications, provides some support for the traditional narrative of Rome's early history
  • However, the lack of contemporary written records from the Regal Period means that many details cannot be verified
• The existence of some Roman kings, such as Romulus and Numa Pompilius, is debated among scholars, as they may be purely legendary figures
• The accuracy of the traditional chronology of the Regal Period, with seven kings ruling for a total of 244 years, has been questioned by modern historians
  • Some scholars suggest that the Regal Period may have been shorter, with fewer kings, and that the traditional chronology was a later invention