In 509 BC, the last king of Rome - Tarquinius Superbus - was expelled from the city, and the Republic was born. But what do we actually know about the early years of the Republic? Not much, and what we do know is at odds with the much later traditions on which we tend to rely.

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Episode highlights

Understanding the Early Roman Republic

Reconceptualizing the Roman Republic's Historical Periods

Interpreting Rome's Early History

Austerity Over Conspicuous Consumption in Ancient Rome