Kings of Ancient Rome

  • The Kings of Rome ruled between 753-510 BCE. The Roman Kings were elected from one of the Three Tribes of Rome, but once voted in their power was Absolute and they ruled by Decree.
  • The Kings lived in the ‘Regia’, next to the Temple of Vesta, and conducted business in the Forum Romanum. They wore the Toga Trabea

List of Roman Kings (753-510 BCE)

  1. 753-716 BCE Romulus
  2. 715-674 BCE Numa Pompilius
  3. 673-642 BCE Tullus Hostilius
  4. 642-617 BCE Ancus Marcius
  5. 616-579 BCE L. Tarqinius Priscus
  6. 578-535 BCE Servius Tullius
  7. 535-510 BCE L. Tarquinius Superbus

Election

  1. A new King was chosen from one of the Three Tribes of Rome
  2. First he was proposed by the Senate, then elected by the Comitia Curiata.
  3. Before taking the Crown, an Augur had to confirm the King’s suitability to be Head Priest
  4. Finally, the Comitia Curiata then voted him Imperium.

Duties

Once voted in, the King’s Power was Absolute and he ruled by Decree.

  1. The King was the Head of the Roman Church
  2. The King was Head of the Military and held Imperium
  3. The King was in Command Imperium of the City of Rome and when absent, delegated this to the Praefectus Urbanus
  4. The King was the Principal Executive Magistrate (Chief Lawmaker)
  5. The King was the Chief Judge
    • One exception to his Powers: the Power to Declare War. This needed to be approved by the Senate and the Comitia Curiata.

Government

There were Three Assemblies who advised the King:

  1. The Senate – acted as advisers on affairs of State.
  2. Comitia Curiata – acted as advisers on affairs of State.
  3. Comitia Calata – acted as advisers on religious affairs..

Location

  • Government was conducted in the Forum Romanum
  • The King lived at the ‘Regia’, the King’s Palace next to the Temple of Vestus, and which was subsequently occupied by the Pontifex Maximus

Dress

  • The Roman Kings wore the Toga Trabea – white with a Purple stripe.
  • They were accompanied by 12 Lictors.

 

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