Summary Roman Kings

The seven kings of Rome left behind them an inheritance. A legal system, class structure and geographical division of the city into districts. A census every five years permitted a more just taxation. Indispensable engineering works were also undertaken

Comments on the Seven Kings of Rome

Although in the 250 years of kingdom the territorial dominion of Rome had not increased in any significant manner, each of the kings had brought and instilled a different virtue to the people and city of Rome. The last king of Rome, Tarquinius Superbus, didn’t leave quietly; summoning up one alliance after another against the Romans in an effort to win back the throne. This gave the Roman garrisons plenty of experience making them a battle-hardened force to contend with as they gained dominance of Italy.

The final result constituted a solid foundation for the City-State that Rome had become. Within a further 250 years Rome would subdue the surrounding peoples such as the Etruscans, Samnites and Greek colonies, making herself master of the entire Italian peninsula, warring to control the Mediterranean sea, eliminate piracy and control international commerce.

Summary: the Seven Kings of Rome

Romulus son of Rhea Silvia and the god Mars founded and consecrated Rome. He attracted inhabitants to the new city, the Sabines and their women came. He won land for his subjects.
Numa Pompilius, a Sabine, taught the Romans to cultivate the fields and to worship the gods.
Tullus Hostilius overcame Alba Longa. The battle was decided through duel between the three Roman brothers of the Horatii family and the Alban Curiatii brothers. The Alban citizens moved to live in Rome. Alba Longa was razed to the ground.
Ancus Martius attended his religious duties but also strengthened the city’s fortifications, built a bridge over the Tiber and colonised the river mouth at Ostia.
Lucius Tarquinius, an Etruscan, overcame the Etruscans and became their king also. He built the Capitol, the cloaca maxima sewers and the Circus Maximus.
Servius Tullius was the son of a slave. He introduced a five-yearly sensus and restructured taxation. He restructured the army and society according to land ownership.
Tarquinius Superbus son of Lucius Tarquinius murdered Servius. He fought and won the war also by treachery. He purchased the Sibylline books, regarded as one of Rome’s greatest treasures. His nephew Brutus roused the Romans to expel him and his family and so Rome became a republic.