The First Seven Kings of Rome: Lives, Lessons, and Succession

The Ten Minute Time Machine

The history of Rome’s first seven kings, though shrouded in legend, offers significant insights into the city’s early development and transition from monarchy to a republic. These rulers established foundational political, military, and religious institutions that shaped Roman society.

1. Romulus (753–717 BCE): The legendary founder of Rome, Romulus, created many of its key institutions, such as the Senate and military organization. His reign, marked by the establishment of social divisions and laws, ended mysteriously, either by divine ascension or assassination. Romulus embodied Rome’s martial spirit, and his legacy as a warrior-king reflected the early Romans’ focus on expansion and strength.
2. Numa Pompilius (717–673 BCE): Numa was chosen to bring peace after Romulus’s warlike rule. A Sabine by origin, he focused on establishing religious institutions and peaceful governance, with the creation of various priesthoods and the Temple of Janus symbolizing peace and religious authority. Numa’s reign taught Romans the value of religion and civic unity in statecraft.
3. Tullus Hostilius (673–642 BCE): In contrast to Numa, Tullus was a warrior king, expanding Rome’s influence through war, most notably by conquering Alba Longa. His reign emphasized military strength but ended tragically, as he was reportedly struck down by divine wrath for neglecting religious duties. His death underscored the importance of balancing warfare with piety.
4. Ancus Marcius (642–617 BCE): Ancus, the grandson of Numa, balanced war and diplomacy, further expanding Rome’s territory, notably establishing the port of Ostia. He integrated conquered peoples into Rome, an early example of Rome’s growing multiculturalism. His reign emphasized the necessity of combining military strength with cultural and civic integration.
5. Lucius Tarquinius Priscus (617–579 BCE): Originally an Etruscan immigrant, Tarquinius rose to power through political skill and established significant public works, including the Circus Maximus. His reign, marked by both military success and civic development, ended in assassination. His rule reflected Rome’s growing complexity and the dangers of unchecked ambition.
6. Servius Tullius (579–535 BCE): A slave’s son, Servius reformed Rome’s political and social structures with the Servian Constitution, organizing the populace based on wealth and military obligation. His reign was progressive, but he was overthrown and murdered in a coup. Servius’s reforms deeply influenced Rome’s later republican structure, emphasizing citizenship and civic responsibility.
7. Lucius Tarquinius Superbus (535–509 BCE): Tarquin the Proud, the last king of Rome, ruled tyrannically, ignoring the Senate and traditional values. His son’s crime against Lucretia sparked outrage, leading to the revolution that overthrew the monarchy and established the Roman Republic. Tarquin’s reign demonstrated the dangers of tyranny, reinforcing Romans’ desire for a more balanced, republican form of government.

The downfall of the monarchy and the transition to a republic were driven by the abuse of royal power, political violence, and unchecked authority. The expulsion of Tarquinius Superbus marked the end of kingship in Rome and the beginning of a republican system, which emphasized the rule of law, shared power, and civic duty. The lessons from the kings' reigns, especially their failures, shaped Roman political thought and laid the foundation for the long-lasting Roman Republic.

In conclusion, the reigns of Rome’s first seven kings contributed to the city’s early development but also demonstrated the inherent risks of monarchic rule. These experiences taught Romans the need for balance in governance, eventually leading to the establishment of the republic, which became a cornerstone of Rome’s political legacy.