The Roman Monarchy: Origins, Kings, and Governance

The Origins of the Roman Monarchy

The term King derives from the Latin word Rex, meaning to rule or govern. The position of the king was not hereditary, though it was held for life. The monarch wore a purple robe, carried a scepter of ivory, wore a gold crown, and was preceded by twelve assistants in the streets. These assistants carried the famous fasces—rods bound together with an axe—as a symbol of his authority.

The king was responsible for consulting the will of the gods and offering sacrifices to the deities. The monarch held civil authority, including the power to convene the village assembly, consisting of ten representatives for each of the three primitive tribes of Rome: the Ramnes, Tities, and Luceres. Each curia provided one hundred infantry and ten knights, creating an effective army of approximately 3,000 soldiers and 300 horsemen.

The Role of the Senate

The Senate monitored the adherence to ancestral customs. The Interregnum was the period in which the Senate was responsible for choosing one of its members as an interrex. The primary function of the interrex was to elect a new monarch within five days. If no person was designated, the role passed to another senator for another five-day period until a successor was chosen.

The Seven Kings of Rome

According to Roman tradition, following the death of Romulus, the city was ruled by six additional kings over two centuries.

The Early Monarchs

• Numa Pompilius: Remembered for introducing religion to Rome, establishing the worship of the gods, the institution of the Vestal Virgins, the Temple of Janus, and the division of the year into twelve months, while distinguishing between auspicious and inauspicious days.
• Tullus Hostilius: A warlike successor whose conflict with the city of Alba Longa resulted in its total destruction.
• Ancus Marcius: The third king of the Roman tradition.

The Later Kings and the Fall of the Monarchy

• Lucius Tarquinius Priscus (The Elder): Known for introducing Etruscan civilization to Rome and leading large public works, such as the Cloaca Maxima and the Temple of Jupiter at the Capitol.
• Servius Tullius: The successor of Tarquinius Priscus.
• Tarquinius Superbus: The final king of Rome. While he provided services to the population through public works, he maintained power through violence.

The virtuous character of a woman named Lucretia served as the spark that triggered the uprising against the monarchy. Consequently, the king was forced to flee, and the title of king was abolished in Rome forever.