The Roman Kingdom (753- 510 BCE) - AP European History

The Etruscans controlled much of northern Italy before the rise of the Roman Republic. The Etruscans fought against the Roman Republic in the early years of the latter’s rise, but were eventually overwhelmed by the growing power of Rome.

Etruria is a region of north-central Italy, where the Etruscan people originated, and for a time, came to dominate the Italian peninsula. In relation to Rome, Etruria was directly to the north. In ancient times, the Etruscan people of Etruria were rivals of the Latin people of Latium.

The Etruscan Empire was founded before the beginning of the common era. The civilization was over run around 300 BCE and began at 800 BCE. This is another question where understanding the time frames of the Roman Empire is crucial. We know to eliminate the CE options. Then when we go back and look at the historical facts, we know that the empire was revamped and refounded around 800 BCE.

The power in the Roman Kingdom was largely centered on the King. The Senate was NOT an independent body, it could only be assembled at the behest of the King.

The Roman Republic came into existence in the second-half of the sixth century BCE. Previously, Rome had been governed by a monarchy. It is worth noting that much of the history of this time period is shrouded in myth and legend, but it is generally believed that Rome was ruled by a succession of seven kings, before the last king, Tarquinius Superbus, was overthrown in a violent revolution.

In the early years of the Roman Republic, it was common for poor plebeians to be enslaved by patricians if they accumulated significant debts. This debt slavery was abolished in 450 BCE with the codification of Roman law through the Twelve Tables.

The term interregnum is a Latin term that literally means “between kings.” During the period of time when Rome was ruled by a monarchy, the kingdom would enter a period of interregnum _f_ollowing the death of a king. In the Roman Kingdom, during interregnum, power would devolve to the Senate who would then elect a new king.

A republic is a system of government in which people elect representatives to enact laws on their behalf. It is distinct from direct democracy in that the people do not actually get to vote on issues themselves, but instead appoint representatives. It was the political system which prevailed in Rome from 507 BCE until the rise of the Roman Empire in 27 BCE. It is also the political system which prevails in the modern United States of America.

In the Roman Kingdom, the Senate was responsible for nominating and electing a king. After a king died, the Senate was convened to appoint a new ruler. That ruler would then have to be approved by the people, the Gods, and the Curiate Assembly (a government body under the effective control of the Senate).

During the history of the Roman Kingdom, the Curiate Assembly had the final authority over the appointment of a king. The Curiate Assembly was a government body made up of wealthy patricians and under the effective control of the Roman Senate.

The procedure for the nomination and appointment of a Roman monarch was quite convoluted. First, the Senate had to choose a candidate for the monarchy. Then, that monarch needed to get the support of the people. Next, he had to court the approval of the Curiate Assembly. Finally, a would-be monarch needed religious approval and the reaffirmed support of the Senate. Only after all this would a ruler have the title of imperium conferred upon him and become king.

The Roman god of war was named Mars. In Roman mythology, Mars was the father of Romulus and Remus, the two supposed founders of Rome.

Inspiration for Mars was taken from Ares, the god of war in Ancient Greek Mythology. The myths and legends of Ares were often taken and reinterpreted in Roman literature with Mars taking the place of Ares.

The Roman God Janus was principally the God of doors and gateways. In Roman tradition Janus also rules over beginnings and ends, making him the natural God to be celebrated at the end of a war. Janus has no equivalent in Greek mythology.

Diana was the Roman Goddess of hunting, the moon, nature, and wild animals. After the Roman conquest of Greece, Diana came to be associated with the Greek Goddess Artemis.

The Carthaginian Empire, at one time the largest empire in the Mediterranean, is believed to have been founded as a Phoenician settlement around the eighth century BCE. The Phoenicians were a seafaring, mercantile people who established colonies all over the Mediterranean in the centuries before the rise of the Roman Republic.

The Strait of Messina is a narrow body of water that separates mainland Italy from the island of Sicily. It was historically of great importance, especially during the First Punic War.

The Roman Forum was first constructed in the seventh century BCE, after the draining of wet marshland allowed more people to settle and build in the burgeoning city of Rome. For the next several hundred years, the Forum would serve as the social and ceremonial center of Roman life and witnessed countless public spectacles, religious festivals, and military parades.

The Roman Forum was the social center of life in the city of Rome throughout the history of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. It most likely began life as a central marketplace, which over time grew into a hub and a shared social space.

The Apennines run through the center of the Italian peninsula. Rome is located on the west of the Apennines and was protected from some foreign invasions by this mountain range.