Ancient History - The Legendary Kings of Rome

Who was Aeneas and what did he do?

A Trojan citizen who fled Troy after its destruction who allied with King Latinus, married his daughter Lavinia and founded the Latin race. His son Ascanius founded Alba Longa

How were Romulus and Remus born?

King Numitor of Alba Longa was removed by his brother Amulius. Amulius killed his nephew and made his niece a Vestal Virgin (to stop her having children). His niece got pregnant and she claimed it was from Mars, so the children were to be drowned in the Tiber.

What saved the twins?

Shepherd Faustulus and his wife Larentia raised them. Remus was imprisoned by Amulius and so the twins killed Amulius and restored Numitor

Why did Romulus kill Remus when founding Rome?

They argued over where to base it. Romulus won by augury (six vultures second as compared to three vultures first for Remus) and Romulus killed Remus for jumping over his walls

What religious initiatives did Romulus adopt?

A combination of Greek and Etruscan rituals

How did Romulus organise the army?

Centurions commanded a century of 60-100 men

How did Romulus organise politics on the national level?

Granting citizenship to all including foreign criminals, built city walls, and created the patron-client system where the rich patrons would guide clients who did tasks for them

How did Romulus organise politics on the higher levels?

Formed a Senate for advice, while Romulus remained a dictator with some limited form of democracy

How did Romulus kidnap the Sabine women?

Neighbours were unwilling to marry their women to Romans, and so Romulus invited them to a religious festival and kidnapped hundreds. Despite kidnapping them, he was relatively good to them although this did cause war with the Sabines, although the Sabine women were eventually able to get them to make peace and the two largely united

How did Romulus “die”?

He was, in myth, taken away by a cloud or by Mars. Other sources say he was killed by his own people for being a tyrant

Why was Numa chosen as the next king?

He was a nobleman who was pious and just

How did Numa change religion?

He created a priesthood for Mars, Romulus and Quirinius (divine name), a priest for Jupiter, pontiff, introduced Vestal Virgins to Rome and created a new calendar

What political changes did he make?

Appeased those who wanted to rebel, and built the Temple of Janus where the doors were shut if Rome was at peace. They were only shut in Numa’s reign, at the end of the First Punic War and at the end of the civil wars

Why did Rome and Alba Longa go to war under the third legendary king Tullus Hostilius?

The Albans wanted compensation for Roman cattle raiders and no compromise was made. They agreed to a battle of triplets from each side where the two Roman triplets (Horatii) died, but the third killed all the Alban (Curatii) ones.

What happened to Alba next?

Tullus had the dictator Mettius executed and later conquered Alba

What changes did Tullus make to Rome?

Right to appeal, expanded Rome using Alba and the Sabines as well as fighting off enemies. He was apparently killed by the gods for failing to observe religion correctly.

Why was Ancus Marcius chosen next?

He was seen as a good choide as he considered Tullus’ reign good in everything but its religious practice and wanted to bring a bigger role for religion and peace

What changes did he make?

Placing laws on boards in the city, giving a say in foreign affairs for tribes (established by Romulus), defeated the Latins but invited them to be settlers and further fortified Rome