The Roman Monarchy

A Foundational Era

Explore the foundational era of ancient Rome, from its legendary founding to the establishment of the Republic.

Major Events of the Roman Monarchy

  • Founding of Rome

    Traditional date for the city's founding by Romulus on the Palatine Hill.

  • Reign of Romulus

    Establishment of early political and military structures.

  • Beginning of Etruscan Rule

    Tarquinius Priscus, the first Etruscan king, begins his reign, leading to major urban development.

  • Servian Reforms

    Servius Tullius introduces the census and the Centuriate Assembly, radically reorganizing Roman society and military service.

  • Overthrow of the Monarchy

    The tyrannical Tarquinius Superbus is expelled following the rape of Lucretia, an event which catalyzes a revolt led by Lucius Junius Brutus and others, leading to the establishment of the Roman Republic.

The Founding Myth: Romulus and Remus

The traditional account of Rome's beginning centers on the twin brothers, Romulus and Remus. According to legend, they were the sons of Rhea Silvia (a Vestal Virgin and daughter of the king of Alba Longa, Numitor) and the god Mars. Abandoned as infants, they were miraculously suckled by a she-wolf (Lupa Capitolina) and later raised by a shepherd. Upon adulthood, they decided to found a new city. A dispute over which hill to choose (Romulus favored the Palatine, Remus the Aventine) and an ill-fated augury led to Romulus killing Remus. Romulus then founded the city on the Palatine Hill, naming it after himself: Roma (Rome). He is traditionally regarded as its first king and the creator of its earliest institutions, including the Senate.

The Seven Legendary Kings of Rome

Romulus

Romulus

The legendary founder and first king (c. 753–717 BC). Established the Senate and military and is famous for the abduction of the Sabine women to populate the city.

Numa Pompilius

Numa Pompilius

Second king (c. 715–673 BC). Known for his religious reforms, establishing key priesthoods (like the Pontifex Maximus), and introducing the Roman calendar.

Tullus Hostilius

Tullus Hostilius

Third king (c. 673–642 BC). A warlike king who focused on military expansion, notably conquering Alba Longa and increasing Rome's territory.

Ancus Marcius

Ancus Marcius

Fourth king (c. 642–617 BC). Credited with founding the port of Ostia and bridging the Tiber River (Pons Sublicius), combining military conquest with public works.

Lucius Tarquinius Priscus

Lucius Tarquinius Priscus

Fifth king (c. 616–579 BC) and the first Etruscan king. Developed the city with major public works, including draining the Forum and beginning the Circus Maximus.

Servius Tullius

Servius Tullius

Sixth king (c. 578–535 BC). Instituted the Servian Constitution, which reformed the class system based on wealth (census) and created the Centuriate Assembly.

Lucius Tarquinius Superbus

Lucius Tarquinius Superbus

Seventh and last king (c. 535–509 BC). Known as 'Tarquin the Proud' for his tyranny and cruelty, his expulsion led directly to the founding of the Republic.

Key Political and Social Institutions

The 'Rex' held Imperium, the supreme military, executive, and judicial authority. He was the chief priest, commander-in-chief, and supreme judge. The position was generally elective, not hereditary, and held for life.

The Etruscan Influence and Urban Development

The mouth of the Cloaca Maxima into the Tiber River.

The mouth of the Cloaca Maxima into the Tiber River.

The later period of the Monarchy, particularly the reigns of the three Tarquins (Tarquinius Priscus, Servius Tullius, and Tarquinius Superbus), is strongly associated with Etruscan cultural and political influence. The Etruscans, a highly advanced civilization north of Rome, are credited with transforming Rome from a collection of hilltop settlements into a sophisticated city-state. They introduced significant urban planning and architectural advancements, including the draining of the low-lying Forum area, the construction of the Cloaca Maxima (the great sewer), the development of the Circus Maximus, and the construction of monumental temples like the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus on the Capitoline Hill. This period marked Rome's emergence as a significant power in Latium.

Fast Facts about Regal Rome

  • The kings did not form a single dynasty; the position was generally elective, often based on merit or influence, not heredity.
  • The Lupa Capitolina (Capitoline Wolf) became a powerful and enduring symbol of Rome's divine origins.
  • The word Rex (King) became permanently associated with tyranny and was generally despised in the subsequent Republican era.
  • The Senate's power was minimal under the Kings, serving mainly as a council of advice, but its structure was preserved and grew immensely important in the Republic.
  • The term for the king's supreme authority, Imperium, would later be transferred to the highest magistrates of the Republic (Consuls and Praetors).