Ancus Marcius

Ancus Marcius was the legendary fourth king of Rome, who traditionally ruled for 24 years. After the death of the king before him, Tullus Hostilius, the Roman Senate chose a leader called an interrex. This leader then called together the assembly of the people, and they chose Ancus Marcius to be the new king.

Ancus Marcius was known for both fighting in wars, like Romulus did, and for supporting peace and religion, like Numa Pompilius. Many Romans believed he gave his name to a family called the Marcii.

One interesting coin made of silver shows Ancus Marcius. On one side, there is a picture of his head wearing a special crown called a diadem, with a symbol called a lituus behind it. On the other side, there is an equestrian statue standing on five arches of an aqueduct called the Aqua Marcia. This coin was made by Lucius Marcius Philippus in Rome in the year 56 BC.

Background

Ancus Marcius was the grandson of Numa Pompilius, one of Rome’s early kings. His father was Marcius, and his mother was Pompilia, who was the daughter of Noma Pompilius. Because of his family, Ancus was considered a Sabine, a group from a nearby land. A writer named Festus said that Ancus got his name because of a bent arm he had, since “ancus” in Latin means “bent.”

First acts as King

When Ancus became king, his first action was to ask the Pontifex Maximus to make copies of the religious ceremonies created by Numa Pompilius. These copies were put on wooden tablets so everyone could see them. This was done so that the important religious rites would not be forgotten or done incorrectly. Before this, the previous king, Tullus, had removed many of Numa's religious rules.

War

After Ancus Marcius became king, the Latin League thought he would only want peace, like his grandfather, Numa Pompilius. So they attacked Roman lands and refused to make things right. Ancus declared war on the Latins for the first time using special ceremonies called the rites of the fetials.

Ancus Marcius led his army to the Latin town of Politorium, near Lanuvium, and took it by surprise. He moved the people to live on the Aventine Hill in Rome. When the Latins tried to retake Politorium, Ancus captured it again and tore it down. He also attacked and destroyed the Latin villages of Tellenae and Ficana.

The fighting moved to the strong town of Medullia. After several battles, the Romans won and returned to Rome with many treasures. More Latins became Roman citizens and lived near the Palatine Hill by the temple of Murcia.

Ancus Marcius added the area of the Janiculum to Rome, building a wall around it and a wooden bridge, the Pons Sublicius, over the Tiber. He also took over Fidenae to grow Rome’s power. He built a ditch called the Fossa Quiritium to protect the city and created Rome’s first prison, the Mamertine prison.

He also expanded Roman lands by founding the port of Ostia and taking a forest area called Silva Maesia from the Veientes. He made the temple of Jupiter Feretrius bigger to show these successes. Ancus Marcius celebrated a victory over the Sabines and Veientes.

Death and successor

Ancus Marcius is said to have passed away naturally after ruling for 24 years. He had two sons, and one of them was expected to become the next king. However, a man named Lucius Tarquinius Priscus made sure Ancus' sons were away from Rome. This allowed him to gather support from the people and become the new king instead.

Later, Lucius Tarquinius Priscus was harmed by Ancus Marcius' sons. In the time of the Republic and the Empire, an important family called the gens Marcia said they were descendants of Ancus Marcius.