Legendary Kings

• Who were the Legendary Kings?

  Romulus

  Numa Pompilius

  Tullus Hostilius

  Ancus Marcius
• Livy's foundation story

  1. Aeneas was pardoned by the Achii (Greeks) because he advocated peace and the returning of Helen.
  2. He went to Macedonia, then Sicily, the Laurentum, which was occupied by King Latinus and the Aborigines.
  3. Either they attacked eachother and Latinus lost or Aeneas called for Parley, explained his situation, was welcomed. He married Lavinia and had a son - Ascanius.
  4. Turnus, King of Ratulians was engaged to Lavinia so attacked Aeneas but lost.
  5. Turnus then allied with Mezentius and neighbouring regions. Aeneas fought them and won.
  6. Aeneas was referred to as Jupiter Indiges.
• Virgil's Aeneid

  1. Aeneas escaped burning Troy with his father and son.
  2. He took 7.5 years to get to Italy, including 6 months in Carthage with Queen Dido and a visit to the underworld in Cumae.
  3. He never formally made an alliance with Latinus, but he married Lavinia.
  4. He fought against Turnus and Mazentius because Turnus was engaged to Lavinia.
  5. Aeneas killed them both in battle.
  6. Aeneas son by his first wife Creusa (Ascanius) became the first king of Alba Longa.
• Romulus and Remus

  1. Numitor gave some people a section of land to rule. They were divided between Romulus and Remus as rulers.
  2. Romulus wanted to build on the Palatine Hill but Remus wanted to build on the Aventine Hill.
  3. Remes saw 6 vultures, then Romulus saw 12 so both believed they should be king, causing civil war.
  4. Their surrogate father killed himself, then Remus died.
  5. Romulus buried Remus at Remoria. Laurentia (surrogate mother) encouraged him to build Rome on Palantine Hill.
  6. An alternate version said Remus mocked Romulus' fortifications so Celr, the wall builder, killed him.
• Romulus' political initiatives:

  • Asylum - the idea of citizenship is accredited to Romulus;
  • Safety - Romulus fortified the Palatine Hill before Rome was built;
  • Representation - the patron-client system: the plebs would do tasks for Patricians like fighting in exchange for legal representation;
  • The Senate - 100 patriarchs advised Romulus but he still ruled by decree. It was a life-long commitment;
  • Democracy - arguably not real as Livy claims Senate murdered Romulus for being tyrannical.
• Romulus' religious initiatives:

  • Adopted customs of local cities like Alba Longa (L)
  • Built a temple to Jupiter to commemorate military success (L)
  • Influenced by Greek legend of Heracles (L)
  • Transformed into a God post-mortem (L)
  • Chose best Greek practices for his new city (D)
  • Had a complex religious system with tribal customs and ceremonies (D)
  • Roman religion developed over a long period of time and was influences by many other cultures such as Greek, Etruscan and Apennine (ARCHEOLOGY)
• Romulus' military initiatives:

  Hierarchy of command:

  Romulus --> military tribune --> centurion --> soldiers
• Rape of the Sabine women:

  1. Romulus failed to arrange marriages between neighbouring towns.
  2. Romulus hosted a festival, invited neighbouring towns, then abducted young Sabine women.
  3. After 9 months, Sabine King Titus Tatius' ally, Caenina city went early. Romulus massacred their army and killed their leader, Aero. Romulus built a temple to Jupiter Feretrius.
  4. Rome was invaded by the Sabine. Much of Rome was taken and general Hostus Hostilius was murdered.
  5. The Sabine Women went to the battle field with children and said they didn't want to lose their husbands of fathers. Fighting ended.
• Numa summary:

  • He introduced religion and civilisation into Rome.
  • He created a >40 year peace period for Rome during his reign.
  • He was a Sabine nobleman with a reputation for piety and justice.
  • He was chosen by the Senate to end civil disorder after having a year of the interregnum.
• Numa's religious initiatives:

  • Married Goddess Egeria who advised him on how to govern Rome.
  • Created a priesthood for Mars, Jupiter and Quirinus (Romulus)
  • Created the Flamen Dialis as the Priest of Jupiter.
  • Created Pontiff - Roman high priest who regulated religious practices.
  • Introduced Vestal Virgins to Rome and set aside public funds to manage their temples.
  • Livy said he created the Lunar Calendar.
• Numa's diplomacy:

  • He gave Romulus' land to placate poor people who were planning a revolt.
  • He implemented hearth of the vestal virgins to the roman forum and divided Rome into districts with an official to each one to stop neglect and inspect them.
  • Temple of Janus was open during times of war and closed during times of peace. It was closed for all forty years of Numa's reign.
• Tullus Hostilius' reasons for war with Alba:

  • He thought Rome was growing 'decrepit from inaction';
  • Albans were driving off cattle from Roman territory;
  • Land dispute;
  • Desire to expand Rome;
  • He was confident that he would win because the previous Alban king just died.
• The War with Alba:

  1. Mettius Fefetius didn't want a war as then the Etruscans could attack them both. He suggested that 3 Roman triplets (Horatii) and 3 Alban triplets (Curatii) fought for their nation to gain control of the other.
  2. The Horatii won but only one survived - Horatius.
  3. Horatius killed his sister for mourning her betrothed because he fought against the Romans.
  4. Tullus avoided passing judgment and asked 2 Patrician judges (Duumvirs) to hear his case. They both found him guilty but in the face of civil unrest, they allowed his case to be heard by the people and he was freed on appeal.
• Tullus' political initiatives:

  • He gave land to homeless citizens and built new farms;
  • He expanded Rome with his victories over the Albans and Sabines;
  • He built a settlement on the Caelian Hill for the Albans and created new tribes and districts for each of the Alban groups, including the Curiatii;
  • He extended the Senate and built a new Senate house called the Curia Hostilia.
• Tullus' death:

  • Tullus kept fighting and achieved many great victories including the Battle of Malitosa Forest against the Sabines.
  • Plague struck Rome but Tullus refused to let his armies rest and take care of their families, leading to unrest and division in Rome and criticism of Tullus.
  • He failed to perform his religious duties correctly, the Gods killed him with a thunderbolt.
• How Ancus Marcius became king:

  • He was elected by the Senate after Tullus' death;
  • He was Numa's grandon;
  • He adopted the character of Romulus and Numa - his people needed religious guidance after war and plague but also needed a warrior to lead them again Rome's enemies.
• Marcius' Expansion:

  • Established another district between the Aventine and Palatine hill called the Admurciae district.
  • He expanded over the Tiber and built a bridge which connected Janiculum hill to the city and built a wall around it which helped protect the city from attackers.
• Marcius' military achievements:

  • Captured the Latin city of Politorium and destroyed it to avoid it being a threat;
  • Destroyed the Latin threat in the battle of Medullia.
• Marcius; religious achievements:

  Published laws and religious rites on oak boards across the city so the citizens would know their responsibilities;

  He was trying to uphold the legacy of his grandfather, Numa.
• Marcius; political achievements:

  • Gave people a greater say in foreign affairs;
  • Envoys would visit the enemy and demand justice. If justice was denied, then the envoy would ask each tribe to vote. If the majority agreed, then war would be declared.