Editing Roman Kingdom (section)

==Kings of Rome==

;''<small>Years [[Anno Domini|BC]]</small>''
<timeline>
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  bar:Rulers color:era
  from:-753 till:-716 text: [[Romulus]]
  from:-716 till:-673 text: [[Numa Pompilius|Numa]]
  from:-673 till:-642 text: [[Tullus Hostilius|Tullus]]
  from:-642 till:-616 text: [[Ancus Marcius|Ancus]]
  from:-616 till:-579 text: [[Lucius Tarquinius Priscus|Priscus]]
  from:-579 till:-535 text: [[Servius Tullius|Servius]]
  from:-535 till:-509 text: [[Lucius Tarquinius Superbus|Superbus]]

</timeline>
:::''Dates follow [[Livy]]'s chronology of reign-lengths. Consult particular article for details of each king.''

{| style="margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" border="0" width=700px class="wikitable sortable"
! Year !! King !! Other notable information
|-
|width=111px| 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 Antica|Ostia]]; defeated the [[Sabines]].
|-
|616–578 BC ||[[Lucius Tarquinius Priscus|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 [[Roman tribe|Servian Tribes]] and the [[Centuriate Assembly|centuries]]; built the [[Temple of Diana (Rome)|Temple of Diana]] and a [[Servian Wall|new wall]] around the city; instituted the [[Compitalia]].
|-
|534–509 BC ||[[Lucius Tarquinius Superbus|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.
|}

===Romulus===
[[File:Rome in 753 BC.png|thumb|upright=1.35|A map of Rome in 753 BC. Colours show topography, with green lowlands and brown highlands. The Latin names of hills are included in all caps.|alt=]]
Son of the [[Vestal Virgin]] [[Rhea Silvia]], ostensibly by the god [[Mars (mythology)|Mars]], the legendary [[Romulus]] was Rome's founder and first king.  After he and his twin brother [[Romulus and Remus|Remus]] had deposed [[Amulius|King Amulius]] of Alba and reinstated the king's brother and their grandfather [[Numitor]] to the throne, they decided to build a city in the area where they had been [[Lupercal|abandoned as infants]]. After killing Remus in a dispute, Romulus began building the city on the [[Palatine Hill]].  His work began with fortifications. He permitted men of all classes to come to Rome as citizens, including slaves and freemen without distinction.<ref>[[Livy]], ''[[Ab Urbe Condita Libri (Livy)|Ab urbe condita]]'', [[s:From the Founding of the City/Book 1#8|1:8]]</ref> He is credited with establishing the city's religious, legal and political institutions. The kingdom was established by unanimous acclaim with him at the helm when Romulus called the citizenry to a council for the purposes of determining their government.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title = Titus Livius (Livy), The History of Rome, Book 1, chapter 8|url = https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%253Atext%253A1999.02.0026%253Abook%253D1%253Achapter%253D8|website = www.perseus.tufts.edu|access-date = 2015-12-09}}</ref><ref>Everitt 2012, p. {{Page needed|date=April 2021}}.</ref><ref>Everitt 2012, pp. 22–23.</ref><ref>Matyszak 2003, p. 17.</ref>

Romulus established the [[Senate of the Roman Kingdom|Senate]] as an advisory council with the appointment of 100 of the most noble men in the community. These men he called ''patres'' (from ''pater'', father, head), and their descendants became the [[Patrician (ancient Rome)|patricians]]. To project command, he surrounded himself with attendants, in particular the twelve lictors.<ref name=":0" /><ref>He may have chosen this number from the number of the birds who foretold his sovereignty</ref> He created three divisions of [[equites|horsemen (''equites'')]], called ''centuries'': ''Ramnes'' (Romans), ''Tities'' (after the Sabine king) and ''Luceres'' (Etruscans). He also divided the populace into 30 ''[[curia]]e'', named after 30 of the Sabine women who had intervened to end the war between Romulus and Tatius. The ''curiae'' formed the voting units in the [[Roman assemblies|popular assemblies]] (''Comitia Curiata'').<ref>[[Livy]], ''[[Ab Urbe Condita Libri (Livy)|Ab urbe condita]]'', [[s:From the Founding of the City/Book 1#8|1:8]], [[s:From the Founding of the City/Book 1#13|13]]</ref>

[[File:Platner - Ancient Rome city growth.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|Growth of the city region during the kingdom]]
Romulus was behind one of the most notorious acts in Roman history, the incident commonly known as ''[[The Rape of the Sabine Women]]''. To provide his citizens with wives, Romulus invited the neighbouring tribes to a festival in Rome where the Romans committed a [[Bride kidnapping|mass abduction]] of young women from among the attendees. The accounts vary from 30 to 683 women taken, a significant number for a population of 3,000 Latins (and presumably for the Sabines as well). War broke out when Romulus refused to return the captives. After the Sabines made three unsuccessful attempts to invade the hill settlements of Rome, the women themselves intervened during the [[Battle of the Lacus Curtius]] to end the war. The two peoples were united in a joint kingdom, with Romulus and the Sabine king [[Titus Tatius]] sharing the throne.<ref>[[Livy]], ''[[Ab Urbe Condita Libri (Livy)|Ab urbe condita]]'', [[s:From the Founding of the City/Book 1#9|1:9–13]]</ref><ref>Matyszak 2003, pp. 19–20.</ref><ref>Everitt 2012, pp. 21–22.</ref> In addition to the war with the Sabines, Romulus [[Roman-Etruscan Wars#War with Fidenae and Veii under Romulus|waged war]] with the Fidenates and Veientes and others.<ref>[[Livy]], ''[[Ab Urbe Condita Libri (Livy)|Ab urbe condita]]'', [[s:From the Founding of the City/Book 1#14|1:14–15]]</ref>

He reigned for thirty-seven years.<ref>[[Livy]], ''[[Ab urbe condita (book)|Ab urbe condita]]'', 1.21</ref><ref name="Plutarch Life of Romulus 29.7">Plutarch ''Life of Romulus'' 29.7</ref> According to the legend, Romulus vanished at age fifty-four<ref name="Plutarch Life of Romulus 29.7"/> while reviewing his troops on the Campus Martius. He was reported to have been taken up to Mt. Olympus in a whirlwind and made a god. After initial acceptance by the public, rumours and suspicions of foul play by the patricians began to grow. In particular, some thought that members of the nobility had murdered him, dismembered his body, and buried the pieces on their land.<ref>Livy ''Ab Urbe'' Book I ch. 16</ref> These were set aside after an [[Proculus Julius|esteemed nobleman]] testified that Romulus had come to him in a vision and told him that he was the god [[Quirinus]].<ref>Plutarch ''Life of Romulus'' Book I ch. 28</ref> He became not only one of the [[Capitoline Triad|three major gods of Rome]], but the very likeness of the city itself.<ref>Everitt 2012, pp. 24–25.</ref><ref>Matyszak 2003, pp. 20–21.</ref>

A replica of [[Casa Romuli|Romulus's hut]] was maintained in the centre of Rome until the end of the Roman Empire.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Le Glay, Marcel.|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/760889060|title=A history of Rome|date=2009|publisher=Wiley-Blackwell|isbn=978-1-4051-8327-7|oclc=760889060}}</ref>

===Numa Pompilius===
[[File:Numapisocng6371obverse.jpg|thumb|Numa depicted on a 48 BC ''[[denarius]]'']]
After Romulus died, there was an [[interregnum]] for one year, during which ten men chosen from the Senate governed Rome as successive ''[[interrex|interreges]]''. Under popular pressure, the Senate finally chose the Sabine [[Numa Pompilius]] to succeed Romulus, on account of his reputation for justice and piety. The choice was accepted by the Curiate Assembly.<ref>[[Livy]], ''[[Ab Urbe Condita Libri (Livy)|Ab urbe condita]]'', [[s:From the Founding of the City/Book 1#17|1:17–18]]</ref><ref>Everitt 2012, pp. 25–26.</ref><ref>Matyszak 2003, p. 22.</ref>

Numa's reign was marked by peace and religious reform. He constructed a new temple to [[Janus]] and, after establishing peace with Rome's neighbours, closed the doors of the temple to indicate a state of peace.  They remained closed for the rest of his reign.<ref name="ReferenceA">[[Livy]], ''[[Ab Urbe Condita Libri (Livy)|Ab urbe condita]]'', [[s:From the Founding of the City/Book 1#19|1:19]]</ref> He established the [[Vestal Virgins]] at Rome, as well as the [[Salii]], and the [[Flamen|flamines]] for [[Jupiter (mythology)|Jupiter]], [[Mars (mythology)|Mars]] and [[Quirinus]].  He also established the office and duties of ''[[pontifex maximus]]''. Numa reigned for 43 years.<ref>[[Livy]], ''[[Ab Urbe Condita Libri (Livy)|Ab urbe condita]]'', [[s:From the Founding of the City/Book 1#20|1:20]]</ref><ref>Matyszak 2003, p. 25.</ref> He reformed the [[Roman calendar]] by adjusting it for the solar and lunar year, as well as by adding the months of January and February to bring the total number of months to twelve.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

===Tullus Hostilius===
[[Tullus Hostilius]] was as warlike as Romulus had been, completely unlike Numa as he lacked any respect for the gods. Tullus waged war against [[Alba Longa#Alban war with Rome|Alba Longa]], [[Roman-Etruscan Wars#Second War with Fidenae and Veii, under Tullus Hostilius|Fidenae and Veii]] and the [[Roman-Sabine wars#War with Tullus Hostilius|Sabines]]. During Tullus's reign, the city of Alba Longa was completely destroyed and Tullus integrated its population into Rome.<ref>Matyszak 2003, pp. 26–28.</ref> Tullus is attributed with constructing a new home for the Senate, the [[Curia Hostilia]], which survived for 562 years after his death.

According to Livy, Tullus neglected the worship of the gods until, towards the end of his reign, he fell ill and became superstitious. However, when Tullus called upon Jupiter and begged assistance, Jupiter responded with a bolt of lightning that burned the king and his house to ashes.<ref>[[Livy]], ''[[Ab Urbe Condita Libri (Livy)|Ab urbe condita]]'', [[s:From the Founding of the City/Book 1#31|1:31]]</ref><ref>Matyszak 2003, p. 29.</ref> His reign lasted for 32 years.<ref name=":06">[[Livy]], ''[[ab urbe condita libri]]'', [[wikisource:From the Founding of the City/Book 1|I]]</ref>

===Ancus Marcius===
[[File:Ancusmarciuscng10300642obverse.jpg|thumb|Ancus Marcius depicted on a 57 BC ''[[denarius]]'']]
Following the mysterious death of Tullus, the Romans elected a peaceful and religious king in his place, Numa's grandson, [[Ancus Marcius]]. Much like his grandfather, Ancus did little to expand the borders of Rome and only fought wars to defend the territory. He also built Rome's first prison on the [[Capitoline Hill]].<ref>Matyszak 2003, p. 30.</ref>

Ancus further fortified the [[Janiculum]] Hill on the western bank, and built the first bridge across the [[Tiber River]]. He also founded the port of [[Ostia Antica]] on the [[Tyrrhenian Sea]] and established Rome's first salt works, as well as the city's first [[Roman aqueduct|aqueduct]]. Rome grew, as Ancus used diplomacy to peacefully unite smaller surrounding cities into alliance with Rome. Thus, he completed the conquest of the Latins and relocated them to the [[Aventine Hill]], thus forming the [[plebeian]] class of Romans.<ref>Matyszak 2003, p. 31.</ref>

He died a natural death, like his grandfather, after 25 years as king, marking the end of Rome's Latin–Sabine kings.<ref name=":06"/>

===Lucius Tarquinius Priscus===
[[Lucius Tarquinius Priscus]] was the fifth king of Rome and the first of [[Etruria|Etruscan]] birth. After immigrating to Rome, he gained favor with Ancus, who later adopted him as son. Upon ascending the throne, he waged wars against the Sabines and Etruscans, doubling the size of Rome and bringing great treasures to the city. To accommodate the influx of population, the  [[Aventine Hill|Aventine]] and [[Caelian hill]]s were populated.<ref>Everitt 2012, p. 30</ref>

One of his first reforms was to add 100 new members to the Senate from the conquered Etruscan tribes, bringing the total number of senators to 200. He used the treasures Rome had acquired from the conquests to build great monuments for Rome. Among these were Rome's great sewer systems, the [[Cloaca Maxima]], which he used to drain the swamp-like area between the Seven Hills of Rome. In its place, he began construction on the [[Roman Forum]]. He also founded the Roman games.

Priscus initiated great building projects, including the city's first bridge, the [[Pons Sublicius]].<ref>Everitt 2012, p. 28</ref> The most famous is the [[Circus Maximus]], a giant stadium for [[chariot]] races. After that, he started the building of the temple-fortress to the god Jupiter on the Capitoline Hill. However, before it was completed, he was killed by a son of Ancus Marcius, after 38 years as king.<ref name=":06"/> His reign is best remembered for introducing the Roman symbols of military and civil offices, and the [[Roman triumph]], being the first Roman to celebrate one.<ref>Matyszak 2003, p. 36.</ref>

===Servius Tullius===
[[File:Las cuatro regiones de Roma.gif|thumb|upright=1.35|A map of the City of the Four Regions, roughly corresponding to the city limits during the later kingdom. The division is traditionally, though probably incorrectly, attributed to [[Roman Kingdom#Servius Tullius|Servius Tullius]]. The [[seven hills of Rome]] are shown in green, with Latin names.]]
Priscus was succeeded by his son-in-law [[Servius Tullius]], Rome's second king of Etruscan birth, and the son of a slave. Like his father-in-law, Servius fought successful wars against the Etruscans. He used the booty to build the first wall all around the Seven Hills of Rome, the ''[[pomerium]]''. He also reorganized the army.

Servius Tullius instituted a new constitution, further developing the [[Social class in ancient Rome|citizen classes]]. He instituted Rome's first [[census]], which divided the population into five economic classes, and formed the [[Roman assemblies|Centuriate Assembly]]. He used the census to divide the population into four urban tribes based on location, thus establishing the [[Roman assemblies|Tribal Assembly]]. He also oversaw the construction of the [[Temple of Diana (Rome)|Temple of Diana]] on the [[Aventine Hill]].

Servius' reforms made a big change in Roman life: voting rights based on socio-economic status, favouring elites. However, over time, Servius increasingly favoured the poor in order to gain support from [[plebeians]], often at the expense of patricians. After a 44-year reign,<ref name=":06"/> Servius was killed in a conspiracy by his daughter [[Tullia Minor|Tullia]] and her husband [[Lucius Tarquinius Superbus]].<ref>Matyszak 2003, pp. 38–39.</ref>

===Lucius Tarquinius Superbus===
[[File:Map Italy around 500 b.C. - Touring Club Italiano CART-TRC-40.jpg|upright=1.35|thumb|Map of Italy around 500 BC]]
The seventh and final king of Rome was [[Lucius Tarquinius Superbus]]. He was the son of Priscus and the son-in-law of Servius, whom he and his wife had killed.<ref>Matyszak 2003, p. 40.</ref>

Tarquinius waged a number of wars against Rome's neighbours, including against the [[Volsci]], [[Gabii]] and the [[Rutuli]]. He also secured Rome's position as head of the [[Latin League|Latin]] cities. He also engaged in a series of public works, notably the completion of the [[Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus]], and works on the [[Cloaca Maxima]] and the [[Circus Maximus]]. However, Tarquin's reign is remembered for his use of violence and intimidation to control Rome and his disrespect for Roman custom and the [[Roman Senate]].<ref>Matyszak 2003, p. 41.</ref>

Tensions came to a head when the king's son, [[Sextus Tarquinius]], raped [[Lucretia]], wife and daughter to powerful Roman nobles. Lucretia told her relatives about the attack, and committed suicide to avoid the dishonour of the episode. Four men, led by [[Lucius Junius Brutus]], and including [[Lucius Tarquinius Collatinus]], [[Publius Valerius Poplicola]], and [[Spurius Lucretius Tricipitinus]] incited a revolution that [[Overthrow of the Roman monarchy|deposed and expelled]] Tarquinius and his family from Rome in 509 BC.<ref>Matyszak 2003, p. 42.</ref>

Tarquin was viewed so negatively that the word for king, ''[[Rex (king)|rex]]'', held a negative connotation in the Latin language until the fall of the [[Roman Empire]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Tempest|first=Kathryn|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FcfiAAAAQBAJ|title=Cicero: Politics and Persuasion in Ancient Rome|date=2011-01-20|publisher=A&C Black|isbn=978-1-4411-5482-8|pages=10|language=en}}</ref>

[[Lucius Junius Brutus]] and [[Lucius Tarquinius Collatinus]] became Rome's first [[Roman consul|consuls]], marking the beginning of the [[Roman Republic]]. This new government would survive for the next 500 years until the rise of [[Julius Caesar]] and [[Augustus]], and would cover a period during which Rome's authority and area of control extended to cover vast areas of Europe, North Africa, and West Asia.<ref>Matyszak 2003, pp. 43–45.</ref> He ruled 25 years.<ref name=":06"/>