Timeline of Roman Monarchy and Republic

Monarchy and its Timeline

• Monarchy period from 753 BC to 509 BC marked the rule of seven kings in Rome.

The Roman Republic

• Republic era spanned from 509 BC to 27 BC, transitioning from a monarchy to a government led by elected officials known as consuls.
• Early Republic focused on the conquest of the Italian peninsula, while the Late Republic expanded Rome's influence to other territories.

The Roman Empire

• Empire period extended from 27 BC to 476 AD, characterized by centralized power and territorial expansion.

Romulus (1st King)

• Ruled from 753 to 716 BC; founder of Rome; kidnapped women from Sabines for population growth.
• Established the Senate and divided citizens into warriors and non-warriors.
• His death is shrouded in myth; believed to have ascended to heaven or been murdered by senators after a 40-year reign.

Numa Pompilius (2nd King)

• Reigned from 715 to 673 BC; chosen to rule to fulfill Sabine requests.
• Established religious practices and formalized rituals, including the introduction of the Vestal Virgins.
• Reformed the calendar from 10 to 12 months and constructed the Temple of Janus, which symbolized peace and war.

Tullus Hostilius (3rd King)

• Ruled from 673 to 641 BC; known for his military aggressiveness unlike his predecessor.
• Defeated Alba Longa, resolving the conflict through a contest of combat between brothers.
• Built the Curia Hostilia, a larger Senate house, and faced divine retaliation when lightning struck him after a plague.

Ancus Marcius (4th King)

• Reigned from 641 to 616 BC; involved in the defeat of the remaining “Old Latins.”
• Fortified the Aventine and Janiculum hills, integrating them into Rome.
• Credited with the construction of the first aqueduct and establishing the port city of Ostia, enhancing trade routes.

Tarquinius Priscus (5th King)

• Ruled from 616 to 579 BC; an Etruscan who brought cultural influences to Rome.
• Legend tells of a prophetic eagle that took his hat upon his arrival in Rome, signifying his destiny.

General Context of the Kings

• Each king significantly contributed to the social, political, and military foundations of Rome, shaping its evolution from a small city to a powerful entity.