Introduction to kings of Ancient Rome
The original kings of Ancient Rome were the legendary figures of Romulus and Remus, the traditional founders of the city of Rome. The Etruscans were the first actual rulers of Rome, governing for about two centuries before the founding of the Roman Republic in 509 BC. From that year onwards, the Roman Senate, made up of a small number of aristocrats, replaced the Etruscan rule. The Roman Republic, founded prior to Rome’s prominent city status, was a popular democracy ruled by elected Romans. During the Republic, the magistrates, or rulers, were elected to public office and in turn elected a senate. Ultimately, the rise of Julius Caesar brought an end to the Roman Republic and a succession of emperors who would eventually become one of the most celebrated dynasties in all history.
The reign of the Etruscan’s and founding of the Roman Republic
Before the end of the Etruscan dynasty, the kingdom of Rome was broken into two parts – the ‘ urbem’ and the ‘vastam’. This dichotomy would later form the basis of the patrician/plebian social structure in Rome, separating the upper from the lower class. The Etruscan monarchy that ruled in Rome before the Republic was different in many regards. Their rule focused on dynamic social and religious connections, requiring loyalty to the aristocrats who presided over their courts.
In 509 B.C.E., the Roman Republic was born. The Senate of Rome was allotted absolute power, and the Roman people elected ‘magistrates’ who would act as their rulers. After the Roman Republic was established, Rome experienced three centuries of fragile political balance and a series of civil wars.
The Rise of Julius Caesar
The Roman Republic was eventually overthrown by the advent of Caesar. Julius Caesar, a gifted general and politician, rose to power in the mid-1st century B.C.E. He himself was not a king, however he intended to revolutionize Rome. Caeser believed that by introducing kings to Rome, he could overcome the lacking cohesion of the Senate and restore peace to the citizens of Rome. His plan to effectively become King was halted by his death, when a group of senators joined forces in what was known as the infamous “Ides of March.”
The Julio-Claudian Dynasty
A year after the death of Julius Caesar, in 44 BC, his nephew Octavius was adopted by him, taking the name of Augustus Caesar and ascension to the title of Rome’s first emperor. This ushered in the start of Rome’s Julio-Claudian dynasty. Augustus’s reign was marked by his successful social and military achievements and is heralded by historians as the point at which the ‘golden age’ of the Roman Empire began.
Augustus was succeeded by his stepson Tiberius, and he in turn by his adopted sons Gaius and Lucius, and then by his grandson Agrippa. The dynasty lasted over a hundred years, from the reign of Augustus to Nero, the last of the Julio-Claudian emperors.
The Flavian Dynasty
In the wake of Nero’s death and the political unrest that followed, the Flavian Dynasty was ushered in by the Flavian Emperors Vespasian and Titus, who held office between 69 and 79 AD. Vespasian’s son Titus held the reigns of power until his untimely death in 81 AD, after which his brother Domitian would come to reign until 96 AD.
The reign of the Flavians marked a period of important cultural and political progression for Rome, with the Roman Empire expanding to encompass new regions. During their reign, the Flavians acted quickly to repress the chaos that had been unleashed in the wake of the revolt of 68-69 AD under Nero.
The Antonine Dynasty
Rome’s final dynasty were the Antonines, more famously known as the ‘Five Good Emperors’. The reign of the Five Good Emperors was marked by stability and cultural development. The reign of the Antonine dynasty began in 96 AD when Nerva, the first of the five, was declared Emperor and ended in 180 AD with the death of Marcus Aurelius.
Nerva was the first emperor chosen by the Senate after the Flavian dynasty, and the ‘Five Good Emperors’, who followed him, were chosen based on their merit and abilities, rather than any familial ties. The Five Good Emperors all worked to ensure the continued prosperity of Rome as well as increasing cultural tolerance throughout their respective reigns.
Other Dynasties of Ancient Rome
Other emperors and dynasties that would follow the Five Good Emperors included the Severans, the Gallieni, and the Carinians.
The Severans were the first successor dynasty after the death of Marcus Aurelius in 180 AD. Under them Rome would enjoy a period of relative peace and security. However, due to some internal unrest and plots for succession, the dynasty would eventually collapse in 235.
The Gallieni and Carinians were soldier emperors who succeeded in stabilizing Rome during a tumultuous period following the Severan Dynasty. The two were not related, acting more as a unified set of rulers during their respective reigns of power.
Effect of Ancient Rome’s Dynasties
The various ruling dynasties of Rome all had great impacts on culture in the Western world. It was during their rule that we see the beginnings of Christianity, the solidification of pagan worship, and the growth of great engineering marvels that would shape the world for future centuries.
Ultimately, the various dynasties of Ancient Rome show us the true power of a monarchy, its ability to both promote stability and direct chaos, as was often seen in its various rulers. From the stability of the Republic, to the ambition of Julius Caesar, the power of the Julio-Cladian dynasty and the legacy of the Five Good Emperors, the Kings of Ancient Rome remain an enduring symbol of grandeur and power.
