Early Rome + Early Kings Flashcards
(24 cards)
Why was Aeneas included in Roman history?
To link Rome with Greek history.
What is the story of Aeneas?
• He survived the Trojan War.
• Travelled around the Mediterranean, overcoming obstacles and trials.
• Visited Carthage and fell in love with Dido, the queen, but was forced to abandon her in order to travel to Rome.
• After arriving in Italy, King Latinus tried to drive Aeneas out.
• Latinus met Aeneas in battle and became friends.
• Offered Aeneas his daughter (Lavinia) as his wife.
• Aeneas built a new settlement called Lavinium.
• He united his Trojan settlement with local tribes, creating ‘the Latins.’
• Ascanius (his son) created another settlement called Alba Longa (where Romulus and Remus supposedly come from).
What does archaeological evidence say about early Rome?
• Small settlements of subsistence farmers from the Apennine culture existed.
• No evidence of advanced civilizations as described by Livy.
• Evidence of hill citadels across Latium (e.g., Kuni Sul Mignone in 12 B.C.).
• Likely that Lavinium was founded in 10–7 B.C.
• Lavinium probably became rather important.
• Evidence supports the story to a degree, as settlements existed in 12 B.C. and Lavinium did exist.
What were the origins and rise to power of Romulus and Remus?
• King Numitor of Alba Longa was stripped of his throne by Amulius.
• His daughter Rhea was made a vestal virgin but got pregnant with twins (Romulus and Remus).
• The twins were ordered to be drowned in the Tiber but survived.
• Nursed by a she-wolf until Faustulus (a farmer) found them.
• Grew up joining local farmhands and ambushed robbers, giving loot to the poor.
• A gang attacked them; Romulus escaped, but Remus was captured and taken to Amulius, who realised who he was.
• Romulus organised an army to free Remus, killed Amulius, and restored Numitor to the throne.
• Numitor gave Romulus and Remus land to found their own city.
• They couldn’t decide who would found it, so they used divination (augury).
• Remus saw 6 vultures first; Romulus saw 12.
• They couldn’t decide who had won, turned violent, and Remus was killed.
• Romulus became king.
What were Romulus’ political initiatives?
• Created asylum and allowed criminals and outcasts to be part of Rome.
• Created the senate (100 patriarchs) to advise the king, appointed for life, gave insight into people’s concerns.
• Made himself king: ruled by decree, declared war, negotiated with other kingdoms, had lictors (king’s bodyguard).
• Created imperium (right to rule).
• Built walls and fortified Palatine hills.
• Divided plebs into 3 tribes; each tribe into 10 curiae; each curia elected 1 rep into the Comitia Curiata (each person got 1 vote).
The Rape of the Sabine Women: Rome lacked women.
- Romulus tried arranging marriages with local tribes, but they refused.
- Invited cities to a festival and seized the women.
- After the Sabine War, allied with Sabine king Titus Tatius.
Created the patron-client system: 100 best patriarchs guided plebs.
- Patriarchs became priests, magistrates, judges.
- Clients became farmers and tradesmen.
What were Romulus’ military initiatives?
• Created centuries (centurion commanded each).
• Created the celeres (elite cavalry from the equites class).
• Made a military tribune to organise call to arms.
The Sabine War:
Caenina attacked early; Romulus defeated their leader Acro in single combat.
• Built a temple to display spoils.
• Sabines invaded Rome, killing General Hostius Hostilius.
• Romulus prayed to Jupiter and retook the citadel.
• Sabine women entered battle with newborns.
• Cities agreed to peace. Romulus shared power with Titus and built a forum to cement alliance.
What were Romulus’ religious initiatives?
• Influenced by Hercules.
• Built a temple to Jupiter and tried to appear as a god.
• Stole culture from nearby cities.
• Casa Romuli suggests northern influence.
• Chose best traditions from Greek culture.
• Burial rites show Latial (southern) influence.
How did Romulus die?
• Possibly killed by the Senate who wanted power.
• Or transformed into a god in a blaze of light.
• His death led to a period of unrest called the Interregnum.
• Senate tried to take control but only catered to patricians.
• Civil unrest forced them to appoint Numa.
What were Numa’s religious reforms?
Established many priesthoods and religious officials:
• Priesthood for the trinity: Mars, Romulus, Quirinus.
• Flamen Dialis (priest of Jupiter) ensured sacred duties.
• Pontiff (from senate) to oversee religious practices.
• Vestal Virgins brought from Alba Longa.
• Created lunar calendar.
• Built the temple to Janus.
What were Numa’s political reforms?
Used religion to end conflict:
• Stopped focusing on warfare.
• Other countries avoided attacking due to piety.
• Homeless men revolted; Numa gave them land to stop.
• Placed Vestal Virgins in the forum to raise their status.
• Divided Rome into districts and appointed inspectors.
• Established blacksmiths, musicians, and crafts.
What external threat arose during Numa’s reign?
• Etruscans expanded army and navy, preparing to attack Rome after Numa’s death.
What happened in the war with Alba Longa?
• Initially allies.
• Alban King Cluilius wanted compensation for damage by cattle raids.
• No compromise → war.
• Cluilius died near Rome; Mettius became dictator.
• Mettius tried to negotiate using shared heritage.
• A duel between triplets was arranged.
• 2 of the Roman triplets died, 1 survived and killed Alban triplets one-by-one.
• Mettius allied secretly with Veii and Fidenae.
• Rome prepared for battle but Albans didn’t help.
• Tullus defeated enemies, exposed Mettius, executed him by tearing him apart.
• Destroyed Alba Longa and resettled its people in Rome.
What was the outcome of the Sabine War?
• Tullus won the Battle of Malitosa Forest.
What were Tullus’ internal political actions?
• Refused to rest army during plague, leading to unrest.
• Gave land to homeless citizens.
• Built new farms.
• Expanded Rome: new settlement on Caelian hill for Albans and created new tribes and districts for them.
• Expanded Senate to include Alban nobles.
• Built a new Senate House for expanded senate.
What legal reform did Tullus introduce?
• Right to appeal: Surviving triplet killed his sister for mourning her fiancé (one of the Alban triplets).
• Found guilty, appealed to the people, and was freed.
What caused Tullus’ death?
• Became religious during illness.
• Because he hadn’t fulfilled duties before then he was struck by lightning.
What were Ancus’ religious policies?
• Published laws and rites on oak boards across Rome.
What was his war decision-making process?
Gave people a say in war:
• Envoys demanded justice from enemies.
• If refused, each tribe voted.
• If majority agreed, war was declared.
What political expansions did Ancus make?
• Settled Romans on Aventine Hill.
• Invited Latins to become citizens.
• Created new district for Latins.
• Extended Rome across the Tiber and connected it by building a bridge over the Tiber.
• Fortified Janiculum Hill.
• Built a port at Ostia.
• Built salt works in the Tiber.
What were his military victories?
• Captured and destroyed the Latin city of Politorium.
• Defeated the Latin threat at the Battle of Medullia.
Reign Dates of Romulus
753 - 715
Reign dates of Numa
715 - 673
Reign dates of Tullus Hostilius
683 - 642
Reign Dates of Ancus Marcius
642 - 617
