Rome's Seven Legendary Kings

Resources
Art, Cuisine, Famous Italians, Festivals, Folklore, Genealogy, Holidays, Hotels, Photos, Real Estate, Sports, Travel and More

Guides

Buying Property Guide
City/Island Guides
Inheritance Guide

Regional Guides

Surname Collection
Add your name to the collection.

Recipes
Authentic Italian recipes for you to enjoy.

Photo Galleries
Enjoy photos of Italy, wine making & more.

Proverbi
Proverbs in Italian & English.

Our Paesani
Weekly column dedicated to today's Italy.
by Francesca Di Meglio

Italian Memories
Articles on growing up Italian.
by Cookie Curci

Una Mamma Italiana
Articles for Italian mammas.
by Tiffany Longo

Learn Italian
English-Italian guides
Spanish-Italian guides.

Molto Italiano
Sign up for our FREE newsletter.

Trivia
Test your knowledge of Italy.

Rome's Seven Legendary Kings

By Anthony Parente

Rome's Legendary 7 Kings

Before emperors ruled from their marble palaces and the Senate became the center of Roman power, legend tells us of seven kings who shaped the destiny of ancient Rome. Part history part legend, these rulers governed the city of Rome from its founding in 753 BC until the birth of the Republic in 509 BC. Blending mythology, politics, war, and divine destiny form the foundation for one of the most influential empires in the world.

Romulus: The Founder (753-717 BC)

The legendary son of the Vestal Virgin Rhea Silvia and the god Mars. King Amulius of Alba Longa feared that his twin grandnephews, Romulus and Remus, would challenge his power, so he ordered them to be thrown into the river Tiber. Fortunately, they washed onto the shore and were suckled to health by a she-wolf. As the brothers grew older, they decided to establish a city of their own, but a bitter dispute over the city's boundaries ended in tragedy when Romulus killed Remus. In 753 BC, Romulus founded Rome upon the Palatine Hill and became its first king.

The early city was little more than a rough settlement of shepherds, fugitives, and warriors. Romulus transformed it into an organized community. He established the Senate, divided the population into tribes, and expanded Roman territory through military campaigns. One of the controversial yet notable events in the expansion of Rome was the abduction of the Sabine women. During a festival, the Romans abducted the Sabine women and made them their wives. War ensued, but the Sabine women pleaded with both sides, and an alliance was formed. Titus Tatius, king of the Sabines, jointly ruled with Romulus until his death five years later. Oddly enough, Titus is not considered one of the seven legendary kings. After a reign of thirty-seven years Romulus is said to have vanished through a whirlwind during a storm and ascended to godhood as the deity Quirinus.

Numa Pompilius: The Pious (715-673 BC)

As Romulus reigned with a sword, Numa Pompilius ruled differently, focusing on peace and philosophy. He was a Sabine nobleman who was reluctant to take the throne. During his reign, he shaped Rome through religion, law, and ritual. Many of the sacred traditions were attributed to Numa.

He created the Vestal Virgins, a group of priestesses dedicated to worshiping the goddess, Venus. He established cults dedicated to Mars, Jupiter, and Romulus, which led to the creation of the office of pontifex maximus. This office was responsible for overseeing the religious rituals and ceremonies of Rome. He wrote the laws of Rome, which were based on equity and justice. It was the groundwork for the development of governance, religion, and Roman law. Numa reformed the Roman calendar, adding January and February, basing it on the moon cycles and now includes twelve months. He built the Temple of Janus, and during his entire reign, the gates remained closed, signifying peace.

His reign was often viewed as the golden age of peace and divine harmony.

Tullus Hostilius: The Warlike (673-642 BC)

In stark contrast to Numa's peaceful policies, Tullus believed that this weakened Rome. He believed Rome's destiny would be forged through conquest and, under his leadership, Rome aggressively expanded its territory. His most significant achievement was the conquest of Alba Longa; the ancient Latin city linked to Rome's legendary ancestry. The battle was not fought between armies. Three brothers from each city would be chosen to battle. The Horatii brothers from Rome, and the Curiatii brothers from Alba Longa, the victorious side would impose its sovereignty over the other. The city was destroyed, the population relocated to Rome, and noble families were incorporated into the Roman Senate. His political reform included the founding of the Curia Hostilia and the College of the Fetiales. The former played a crucial role in the city's governance. It allowed for a more organized decision-making process. The latter was responsible for diplomatic relations, treaties, and the enforcement of agreements. According to Roman legend, Tullus ignored the gods in his pursuit of power. An angered Jupiter struck him down with a lightning bolt.

Ancus Marcius: The Administrator (642-617 BC)

The grandson of Numa, Rome's second king, combined military strength with religious discipline. He expanded Rome's territory and improved the city's infrastructure, shaping its future. He led numerous campaigns against neighboring Latin tribes, capturing various towns and expanding territory. He claimed a decisive victory against the Etruscan city-state of Veii, reinforcing Rome's dominance. He is credited with founding Ostia, Rome's first port city at the mouth of the Tiber River. This gave Rome access to the sea, which was essential for Roman trade and growth. He built the first wooden bridge (the Pons Sublicius) over the Tiber River, helping connect the growing city to surrounding territories. He reinstated religious edicts enacted by his grandfather, established new priesthoods, and religious festivals, reinforcing the importance of piety in governing as well as daily life.

Tarquinius Priscus: The Builder (616-579 BC)

He was Rome's first Etruscan King. Not only did he expand Rome's borders through military campaigns he initiated numerous building projects. He is responsible for the construction of the Circus Maximus, which became the central venue for chariot racing, games, and entertainment. He began work on the Cloaca Maxima, a massive sewer system that drained Rome's marshlands, transforming the city into a true urban center. He introduced the eagle-headed scepter and the purple toga, which would become symbols of Roman authority. He was the first to actively lobby for the throne, bypassing the sons of his predecessor. As fate would have it, he was assassinated by the sons of Ancus Marcius.

Servius Tullius: The Reformer (578-535 BC)

Considered one of Rome's greatest reformers. Legend states he was born a slave, but signs from the gods marked him for greatness and elevated him to power. He introduced the Servian Constitution, which reorganized Roman society based on wealth and military service. This allowed for greater participation by giving a voice to the lower classes. He created the Census, which divided citizens into classes based on wealth rather than birth. This was crucial in determining taxation and military service. It led to the formation of the Centuriate Assembly, a political body that allowed citizens to take part in governance based on their wealth and military service. He expanded the city of Rome to include the Quirinal, Viminal, and Esquiline hills and constructed the Servian Wall, a defensive structure that protected the city. His reign came to a violent end as he was murdered by his daughter Tullia and son-in-law Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, who would become Rome's final king. The story tells us that Tullia drove over her father's body in the streets of Rome.

Tarquinius Superbus: The Tyrant (535-509 BC)

He became Rome's seventh and final king, a tyrant who was hated by all. Tarquinius Superbus, also known as Tarquin the Proud, ruled through fear, intimidation, and violence. He ignored the Senate and ruled as an autocrat. Senators who opposed him were executed. Nobles were either executed, exiled, or sent to prison. His power grew through intimidation. He expanded Rome's territories during his tenure. The final nail in his coffin came when his son Sextus raped the noblewoman, Lucretia. After revealing what happened to her family, she took her own life, which shocked the community and ignited a rebellion. Led by Lucius Junius Brutus, Tarquinius' nephew, they were expelled from the city in 509 BC, ending the Kingdom of Rome and ushering in the Roman Republic.

Each king played a crucial role in the city's early formation. Their legacies left an indelible mark on its history and identity. Romulus provided the population and military framework, Numa established law and religion, Tullus and Ancus secured territory, and the final Etruscan rulers built the urban infrastructure. By the time the tyrant Tarquinius Superbus was expelled, the kings had transformed Rome into a unified, wealthy city-state. The final king's tyranny instilled a deep hatred for the monarchy, triggering the birth of the Roman Republic, which would catapult Rome into one of the greatest civilizations in history.