Roman Kingdom

The Roman Kingdom was the earliest time in the story of ancient Rome, when the city and the land around it were ruled by kings. People believe this time began around 753 BC when the city of Rome was founded near the Palatine Hill close to the river Tiber in central Italy. This period came to an end around 509 BC when the people of Rome decided not to have kings anymore and started the Roman Republic.

Because very few writings or carvings from those early days have survived, we do not know a lot of facts about this time. Most of what we think we know was written much later, during the time of the Republic and the Empire. These stories were often passed down by word of mouth, and many people wonder how true they really are.

Origin

Main article: Founding of Rome

Monarchy

Further information: King of Rome and Magistrates of the Roman Kingdom

After Romulus, the founder of Rome, the kings were chosen by the people to rule for life. They did not use force to take the throne. The last king, Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, was different. He took power by force and ruled harshly.

The kings were often leaders of groups who gained support through persuasion or force. They were not always from Rome or the nearby Latin people. Each king had special symbols of power, like twelve attendants called lictors carrying bundles called fasces, a special seat called a curule seat, and a purple robe.

The king had the highest power in the army, government, and courts. He could appoint officials, including a special guard leader and a city warden. He alone could appoint leaders called patricians to the Senate.

As the main religious leader, the king could talk to the gods for Rome. He performed ceremonies and set the calendar. He was seen as a bridge between the people and the gods.

The Senate and another group called the Curiate Assembly had little power. They could only meet when the king called them and could only discuss what the king allowed. The Senate could give advice, but the king did not have to follow it.

When a king died, Rome entered a time called interregnum. The Senate would pick a leader to find a new king. This leader would suggest someone, and the people could accept or reject them. After being accepted, the new king had to perform special ceremonies to show the gods approved and to gain full power.

Main articles: Senate of the Roman Kingdom and Citizens' assemblies of the Roman Kingdom

Military

Main article: Structural history of the Roman military

The early Roman army was small and simple, organized around groups of families. As Rome grew, its army changed and became stronger. Most of what we know about this time comes from stories told later, so some details might not be completely accurate.

Kings of Rome

Years BC

Romulus

Romulus, Rome's first king and founder, was the son of the Vestal Virgin Rhea Silvia and the god Mars. After helping his twin brother Remus and their grandfather Numitor regain the throne of Alba, Romulus decided to build a city where they had been left as babies on the Palatine Hill. He started by building walls around the city and allowed people of all backgrounds to become citizens.

Romulus created a group of wise men called the Senate to advise him. He also organized people into groups for voting and fighting. One famous story about Romulus is when he invited nearby people to a festival and then helped Rome’s citizens find wives. After ruling for 37 years, Romulus disappeared during a review of his troops and was said to have become a god.

Numa Pompilius

After Romulus, the Romans chose Numa Pompilius as king. He was known for peace and building up Rome’s religious traditions. Numa built a temple and added new priests to serve the gods. He also changed the calendar to better match the seasons and added two new months, January and February.

Tullus Hostilius

Tullus Hostilius was the next king and was very interested in war. He fought against nearby cities and even destroyed Alba Longa. Tullus also built a new meeting place for the Senate. His reign ended when he angered the gods, and he was struck by lightning.

Ancus Marcius

Ancus Marcius, the grandson of Numa, was a peaceful king who focused on building and uniting nearby towns with Rome. He built Rome’s first prison, a bridge across the Tiber River, and a port. Ancus also helped Rome grow by making alliances with other cities.

Lucius Tarquinius Priscus

Lucius Tarquinius Priscus was the first Etruscan king of Rome. He expanded the city’s lands through war and added new people to the Senate. He also started many building projects, including a big drainage system and a large stadium for chariot races called the Circus Maximus.

Servius Tullius

Servius Tullius was the next king and the son of a slave. He built walls around all of Rome’s hills and changed how people were grouped for voting. Servius also built a temple and made many changes to help both rich and poor citizens.

Lucius Tarquinius Superbus

Further information: Overthrow of the Roman monarchy

The last king of Rome was Lucius Tarquinius Superbus. He ruled for 25 years and was known for being strict and unfair. After his son treated a noblewoman badly, the people of Rome rebelled and removed the kings, starting the Roman Republic.

Year	King	Other notable information
753–716 BC	Romulus	Myth of Romulus and Remus; founder of Rome; established Roman Senate, army, first religious institutions.
715–672 BC	Numa Pompilius	Established many of Rome's most important religious and political institutions; introduced twelve-month solar calendar.
672–640 BC	Tullus Hostilius	Defeated and destroyed Alba Longa; integrated the noble Alban families into the Roman aristocracy.
640–616 BC	Ancus Marcius	Established port of Ostia; defeated the Sabines.
616–578 BC	Tarquinius Priscus	Expanded Roman hegemony over Latium; doubled membership in the Senate to 200; drained the Roman Forum, and constructed the Cloaca Maxima and the Circus Maximus.
578–534 BC	Servius Tullius	Established the Servian Tribes and the centuries; built the Temple of Diana and a new wall around the city; instituted the Compitalia.
534–509 BC	Tarquinius Superbus	Last King of Rome; overthrew Servius; conquered various Latin cities and established colonies; built the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus; deposed and Roman Republic established.