The Early Roman Kingdom - The Romans With Zudor

Now that we have covered the founding myths of Rome and the formative period of the Roman Kingdom, perhaps we should pause for a moment and take stock.

Which part is factual, and which is legendary? More importantly, what were the key events that shaped the future of Rome?

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The Formative Period of the Roman Kingdom

The Formative Period of the Roman Kingdom

Map of Rome at its founding, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rome_in_753_BC.png

By tradition, the Roman Kingdom begins with the founding of Rome in 753 B.C. and ends with the overthrow of the monarchy in 509 B.C. While ~500 B.C. seems to be in line with historical reality, the date of the beginning described in the various myths and legends is probably inaccurate.

For one, let’s take the implausibly long reigns of Romulus, Pompilius, and Hostilius. Three men without access to the most basic amenities are said to have ruled for a combined 113 years. Just imagine these men in their 60s or even 80s—they never brushed their teeth or took a proper shower.

Not to mention that Romulus and Hostilius are said to have taken part in battles until their twilight years. They had to ride and walk in heavy armor for hours and then overpower strong men three times younger. No modern insurer will offer you life insurance with those odds of survival.

Granted, some people lived exceptionally long lives even in those days. But three in a row, in the same place? That’s statistically improbable.

What Does The Evidence Suggest?

Let us look at the physical evidence available rather than taking the Roman storytellers at their word.

Archeological evidence puts Alba Longa’s destruction at circa 600 B.C., an event said to have happened during Hostilius’ reign.

Also, most specialists agree that the Curia Hostilia was erected around the same time. The first Senate House stood for more than 500 years. Eventually, it was burned down by a political mob in the final years of the Republic. Its existence was attested over the centuries by several contemporary authors.

Ergo, if Alba Longa was destroyed by Hostilius around 600 B.C. and he also commissioned a building around that time, it is likely that Tullus Hostilius ruled around 600 B.C. rather than the traditional dates of 672 – 640 B.C.

By following the same logic, if Tullus Hostilius ruled around 600 B.C., it means his predecessor, Numa Pompilius, ascended to the kingship a few decades before 600 B.C. instead of 714 B.C.

As for Romulus and the founding of Rome, 753 B.C. seems out of the question, especially if he was the immediate predecessor of Numa Pompilius.

Moreover, while there are traces of a village on the Palatine Hill dating back to the 900s B.C., the earliest archeological evidence of Rome’s urbanization points to circa 625 B.C.—that’s almost 130 years later than the official date of the city’s founding.

What Is The Likely Timeline of the Early Roman Kingdom

The historical Roman Kingdom and the city of Rome were probably founded around 625 B.C. rather than 753 B.C.

Numa Pompilius might have been its first proper king, followed by Tullus Hostilius. There is a high chance they were real people, but their reigns started later than the traditional date and were shorter than the legends tell us.

As for Titus Tatius, he might have been an earlier tribal chief, religious leader, or both. He could have been the real-life Romulus, for all that we know.

What Were the Actual Historical Events of the Period

Regarding the main events attributed to the first three kings, the outlines are supported by evidence. However, no one can confirm the details with certainty other than applying a bit of common sense to the tales of later authors.

The following events are mostly undisputed:

The Latins of the Palatine Hill and the Sabines of the Capitoline merged into a larger urban community. If the Rape of the Sabine Women ever happened, we can only speculate.
The resulting polity of Rome engaged in conflicts with Veii, Fidenae, and Cures. Given how humans have always quarreled with their neighbors, it is not a surprising turn of events. However, the why and the how of these early disagreements are not for us to know other than accepting the semi-legendary accounts of writers who lived centuries later.
The oldest Roman institutions and structures were established in this period (e.g., the Pontifex Maximus, the Flamines Maiores, the twelve-month calendar, the Temple of Janus, and the Temple of Vesta).
The Cloaca Maxima was built to drain the marshes between the hills, and the Roman Forum was established on the newly cleared land.
The Latin city of Alba Longa (or its real-life counterpart) was destroyed, and its population moved to the Caelian Hill in Rome. We don’t know for sure if Alba Longa was destroyed by the Romans, some other enemy, or even a natural calamity. As for Publius Horatius murdering his unfortunate sister, I can only hope it is a tall tale.
The Curia Hostilia was erected in the Forum by a big wig named Hostilius. Was it a brand-new structure or an upgrade of an older one—let’s say, an Etruscan religious structure—we don’t know for sure.

Conclusions

In conclusion, embellishments aside, the main points of Rome’s early narrative are grounded in reality. These events certainly planted the seeds for the city’s eventual greatness. For elegance’s sake, I suggest we go with the traditional dates, keeping in mind the points from above.

So, what happened next, I hear you ask? Stay tuned, and you’ll find out.