King of Rome
Romulus founded Rome in 753 BC upon the Palatine Hill. This legendary event marks the beginning of a period where seven kings ruled until 509 BC. The average reign lasted 35 years, yet no records confirm how many kings actually existed. Roman archives were destroyed when the city was sacked in 390 BC. Plutarch wrote about Romulus proclaiming himself king after murdering his brother Remus. Titus Tatius served as coruler with Romulus for five years before dying. He is not counted among the traditional seven rulers. Lucius Tarquinius Priscus arrived from an Etruscan city-state known as Lucumo. His election broke the pattern of hereditary rule seen later under the Tarquin dynasty.
The king held imperium, granting supreme military and judicial authority over all people. Twelve lictors carried fasces to symbolize this unchecked power. A curule chair served as his throne while he wore a purple toga picta. Red shoes and a white diadem completed his distinctive regalia. Only the king could wear the purple toga. No laws protected citizens from magistrates holding imperium during this era. The king appointed a tribunus celerum to command the Celeres bodyguard. This officer also served as tribune of the Ramnes tribe. When the king left the city, the custos urbis acted as warden with full powers. Patricians entered the Senate only through royal appointment. The king possessed ultimate executive power without trial or appeal in most cases.
Death triggered an interregnum where the Senate assumed supreme state power. An interrex served five days to nominate a successor before appointing another senator for another term. This cycle continued until a suitable candidate emerged. The Senate examined nominees before presenting them to the Curiate Assembly. People voted to accept or reject the King-elect. Divine approval required auspices performed by an augur at the citadel. The King-elect sat on a stone seat while people waited below. Favorable tokens confirmed priestly character if gods approved. The Curiate Assembly then voted on a bill granting imperium. Though the people elected their leader, the Senate controlled most of the process. Candidates could come from any source including foreign Etruscans like Lucumo.
François Tomb paintings show Roman kings likely wore purple togas during the Etruscan dynasty. Some scholars argue straight edges indicate Greek-style cloaks instead. Twelve lictors wielded fasces to display authority over citizens. A curule chair functioned as throne for official proceedings. Red shoes and white diadems completed ceremonial dress codes. Only the king wore purple togas in public view. These items signified absolute status within Roman society. The palace known as Regia later housed the pontifex maximus. Julius Caesar made major appearances there during his lifetime. Festivals like Regifugium involved impersonating kings being expelled from cities. Such symbols reinforced the sacred nature of royal office before its abolition.
Tarquinius Superbus was overthrown in 509 BC ending monarchical rule. His seizure followed the assassination of Servius Tullius orchestrated with his wife. Tarquin's attempt at hereditary monarchy sparked republican formation. Consuls replaced kings holding imperium while preventing autocracy through dual leadership. Dictators gained power for six-month terms during emergencies. Proconsuls and propraetors received imperium via Senate appointment. Legislation shifted from Curiate Assembly to Centuriate and Tribal Assemblies. The lex curiata de imperio ratified elections after creation of praetor offices around 367 BC. Patrician ancestry remained necessary for certain religious roles despite plebeian exceptions. The Marcii family earned cognomen Rex after serving as rex sacrorum.
The title rex sacrorum survived as Rome's first priest after monarchy fell. Political or military careers were forbidden except Senate seats. Religious duties became subordinated to pontifex maximus authority. Administrative functions including housing moved to supreme pontiffs. The position continued until Christian adoption officially ended it. Patrician ancestry qualified candidates though one plebeian named Rex served. Julius Caesar appeared publicly at Regifugium festivals impersonating expelled kings. The office retained rites only he could perform acting quasi-flamen to Janus. Later censors took over choosing senators previously done by kings. All magistrates down quaestor rank eventually gained Senate admission after expiration. This evolution preserved ritual memory while stripping political substance from royal titles.
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Common questions
When did Romulus found Rome and how many kings ruled until 509 BC?
Romulus founded Rome in 753 BC upon the Palatine Hill. Seven kings ruled from that founding event until 509 BC when monarchical rule ended.
What powers did the Roman king hold regarding military authority and judicial decisions?
The king held imperium granting supreme military and judicial authority over all people. No laws protected citizens from magistrates holding imperium during this era.
How was a new king selected after the death of the previous ruler in 509 BC?
Death triggered an interregnum where the Senate assumed supreme state power. An interrex served five days to nominate a successor before appointing another senator for another term until a suitable candidate emerged.
Who wore purple togas and what regalia completed the distinctive dress code of Roman kings?
Only the king could wear the purple toga picta while red shoes and a white diadem completed his distinctive regalia. Twelve lictors carried fasces to symbolize this unchecked power alongside a curule chair serving as his throne.
When did Tarquinius Superbus get overthrown and what political system replaced monarchy?
Tarquinius Superbus was overthrown in 509 BC ending monarchical rule. Consuls replaced kings holding imperium while preventing autocracy through dual leadership.