

003a- The Seven Kings of Rome
109 snips Feb 25, 2010
Unearth the legacy left by Romulus's successors, beginning with Numa Pompilius, who prioritized spirituality and the establishment of vital religious institutions. Witness the dramatic shift to militarism with Tullus Hostilius, whose aggressive actions against Alba set the stage for Rome's rise as a war power. Explore Ancus Marcius’s military conquests and the strategic importance of Ostia, illustrating how war and religion intertwined to shape early Roman identity and pave the way for the eventual transition to a republic.
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More Than Seven Kings
- Though referred to as the Seven Kings of Rome, there were likely more.
- The seven kings' stories are likely apocryphal, meant to bridge the historical gap.
Succession Crisis and Interregnum
- After Romulus' death, a succession crisis arose, exacerbated by tribal tensions between Romans and Sabines.
- To resolve this, a temporary interregnum was established, with each senator ruling for a day.
Numa's Transformation of Rome
- Numa Pompilius, the second king, was a pacifist and devoutly religious, contrasting sharply with Romulus.
- He transformed Rome from a warrior society to a peaceful, agrarian one.