History
Rome, founded in 753 BCE, has a rich history involving conquest, defeat, prosperity, and hardships. For the Latin I Exam, you will need to know the structure of a monarchy, republic, and empire, and you will need to develop a basic understanding of the early kings and heroes of Rome.
Timeline of Roman Kings
800 BCE
Romulus became the first ruler of Rome as well as its namesake when he killed his brother, Remus. According to legend, he and Remus were abandoned in the Tiber River at birth, and were found by a she-wolf, who suckled them, and a woodpecker, who fed them. They were then found by a shepard who raised them. Romulus ruled from 753 BCE to 716 BCE.
Romulus became the first king of Rome as well as its namesake when he killed his brother, Remus. According to legend, he and Remus were abandoned in the Tiber River at birth, and were found by a she-wolf who suckled them and a woodpecker who fed them. They were then found by a shepard who raised them. Romulus ruled from 753 BCE to 716 BCE.
Numa was elected to be the second king of Rome after the death of Romulus. He is known for creating: the religious calendar, the cult of Mars, the Vestal Virgins, the cult of Jupiter, the cult of Quirinus (the god form of Romulus) and the Office of Pontifex Maximus (high priest). Numa Pompilius ruled from 715 BCE to 673 BCE.
Tullus Hostilius was elected as king when Numa Pompilius died. His achievments include: increasing the Roman population to two times what it was before his rule and the organization of Rome's army, both of which Romulus did during his rule. He also made the Curia Hostilia, which were the first senate chambers. As well as the Comitium, which was an area near the Curia Hostilia, where the citizens of Rome could vote. Tullus Hostilius ruled from 672 BCE to 641 BCE.
When Tullus Hostilius died, Ancus Marcius was elected as king. His main achievments as king were: growing Rome to the Aventine Hill and Janiculum Hill (this was the first time Roman territory reached past the Tiber river), and making the port of Ostia, which was a port at the mouth of the Tiber River. He was the grandson of Numa Pompilius. Ancus Marcius ruled from 642 BCE to 617 BCE.
When Ancus Marcius died, he was elected as king. He had his name changed from Lucumo to Lucius Tarquinius. Commonly known as Tarquin, Lucius Tarquinius Priscus' achievements include: growing the amount of people who were in the senatorial and the equestrian rank, starting the Roman Games in Rome, and starting to build a wall around Rome. Before he was king, he was the guardian of Ancus Marcius' sons. While he was king those sons murdered Tarquin. Following Tarquin's death, his wife, named Tanaquil, was able to make her son-in-law, Servius Tullius, king. Lucius Tarquinius Priscus ruled from 616 BCE to 578 BCE.
After Tarquin was murdered, Servius Tullius was made king. He was the son-in-law of Tarquin. One of his achievements was the creation of the Servian Constitution, which is a class system which disguishes by wealth. According to legend, he was a slave of Lucius Tarquinius Priscus since his birth. Servius Tullius ruled from 578 BCE to 534 BCE.
Lucius became the last king of Rome after he (supposedly) killed Servius Tullius. He is said to have been either the son or the grandson of Tarquin. Lucius Tarquinius Superbus' reign ended when he was forced to flee by a revolt led by Lucius Junius Brutus. Lucius Tarquinius Superbus ruled from 534 BCE to 509 BCE.
500 BCE
Historical Divisions of Rome
Monarchy
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A monarchy is a form of government in which power is held by one person or a few people (called the monarch(s)) who reign until death or abdication.
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King/Queen - The title of a monarch.
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Republic
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A state in which power is held collectively by the people and their representatives which has elected leaders, not monarchs.
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Consul - Two annually elected chief magistrates who rule the republic together.
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Empire
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A state, or group of states under supreme power held by one man or woman. An empire entails the idea of expansion from one original state.
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​​Emperor/Empress - The supreme ruler of an empire.
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Early Roman Heroes
Horatius
He was an officer in the Roman army, and he became a war hero in 509 BCE when he held off an attack at the pons sublicius, which was a bridge over the Tiber river. He was on one side of the bridge with two other officers holding off the attacking Etruscans, while the Roman army destroyed the bridge so that the Etruscans couldn't get into Rome.
Cincinnatus
He was a farmer who became the dictator of Rome in 458 BCE. One of his achievments was when he fought off an invasion by the Aequi. Afterwards, he left his position and became a farmer again. By stepping down, he was putting the good of the Rome over personal gain. Cincinatus was admired as a hero. Although it is not confirmed, he may have returned to his role as dictator in 439 BCE in order to prevent Spurius Maelius from becoming the king of Rome.
