Rome's Regal Period

Rome's Regal Period lasted from 753 to 509 BC. When the Gauls sacked Rome in 390 BC, the records of Rome's earliest days were destroyed; therefore, much of what is known about the Regal Period of the history of Rome is based on the writings of the historian Titus Livius, or Livy, who lived centuries later. While the stories of the Roman kings are a blend of fact and legend and some details are of questionable historicity, they still offer a fascinating glimpse into Rome's past.

Unlike many other monarchical systems, kingship in Rome was not inherited by the king's direct descendent. Instead, the death of the king was followed by an interregnum period, when the Senate chose a candidate and the new king was elected by a vote of the people.

Romulus 753-715 BC
According to legend, Romulus founded Rome with his twin brother Remus, whom he later killed. As Rome's first king, Romulus established the Roman Senate and expanded Rome's borders. In his bid to increase the population of the city and supply wives for unmarried men, he orchestrated the seizing of the women of a neighboring tribe in an incident known as the Rape of the Sabine Women. Tradition says Romulus disappeared during a storm, and after his death he became the god Quirinius.

Numa Pompilius 715-673 BC
Peace-loving Numa Pompilius created priesthoods, established many of the religious institutions of Rome, and built the temple dedicated to the god Janus. He is also credited with modifying the calendar by adding months January and February and changing the number of days in the year to 360. He is venerated as the king who brought civilization and culture to Rome.

Tullus Hostilius 673-641 BC
As his name implies, Tullus Hostilius was known for his militaristic stance. He demolished the city of Alba Longa and relocated its inhabitants to the Caelian Hill, greatly increasing Rome's population. He continued to wage war against neighboring tribes until the Romans were stricken with plague, which prompted him to turn to religion to appease the gods. His new-found religious fervor was ineffective, and he was allegedly killed by a bolt of lightning sent by the god Jupiter.

Ancus Marcius 641-617 BC
Desiring peace, the people chose the grandson of Numa Pompilius as their next king. Although less aggressive than his predecessor, he nevertheless conquered several neighboring tribes, thereby increasing Rome's population. He built the first bridge over the Tiber, and is credited with founding the city of Ostia.

Tarquinius Priscus (Tarquin the Elder) 617-579 BC
After the death of Ancus Marcius a new era arose, that of the Etruscan kings. These later kings brought an increased sense of power to the kingship, but were often tyrannical. The first Etruscan king, Tarquinius Priscus, is credited with many ambitious construction projects, mainly funded by military victories against neighboring tribes. He drained the marshy ground of the Forum and initiated the building of the Cloaca Maxima, Rome's main sewer, as well as the Temple of Jupiter and the Circus Maximus, where spectators gathered to watch chariot races and other sports events. He was assassinated by the sons of King Ancus Marcius.

Servius Tullius 579-534 BC
His actual background unknown, Servius Tullius has been described variously as the son of a slave or a captive prince. Numerous reforms are attributed to Servius Tullius, including establishing the use of coins to replace the bartering system, erecting defensive walls around the city, instituting a census that divided the people into classes based on wealth, and erecting the Temple of Diana. He was murdered by his daughter's husband, who seized the throne.

Lucius Tarquinius Superbus (Tarquin the Proud) 534-509 BC
Traditionally believed to be the son of Tarquin the Elder, although probably his grandson, Tarquin the Proud was a brutal tyrant. Declaring himself the supreme judge of Rome, he murdered his rivals and seized their property, repealed reforms, waged wars and carried out construction projects using forced labor.

Livy relates the story of how Sextus, son of king Tarquinius Superbus, raped Lucretia, a virtuous and chaste noblewoman. She begged her father and husband to avenge her disgrace before committing suicide by plunging a knife into her breast. Her kinsman Lucius Junius Brutus led an uprising against the royal family and drove them into exile, bringing about the end of the regal period and setting the stage for the Roman Republic.

Sources

The Roman Kings http://www.roman-empire.net/kings/kings-index.html
Livy's History of Rome http://etext.virginia.edu/toc/modeng/public/Liv1His.html
Morey, William C. Outlines of Roman History. New York, Cincinnati, Chicago: American Book Company, 1901. http://www.forumromanum.org/history/morey04.html Accessed online.
Kings of Rome http://www.unrv.com/empire/kings-of-rome.php

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