How Did Romulus Rule Rome?
Romulus, the legendary founder of Rome, played a crucial role in establishing the city’s foundations and shaping its early political structure. Let’s explore how Romulus ruled Rome and left a lasting impact on its governance.
1. The Founding of Rome
According to Roman mythology, Romulus and his twin brother Remus were abandoned as infants and raised by a she-wolf before being discovered by a shepherd. As adults, they decided to build a city on the banks of the Tiber River.
However, a disagreement arose between them regarding its location and name.
In an act of divination, Romulus observed six vultures while Remus only saw twelve. Interpreting this as a divine sign favoring his position, Romulus proceeded to establish the city on Palatine Hill in 753 BC.
He named it Rome after himself.
2. The Senate
As the first king of Rome, Romulus established several institutions to govern the young city-state effectively. One such institution was the Senate, which served as an advisory council consisting of elders from prominent Roman families.
Romulus appointed one hundred senators who were responsible for discussing important matters and providing counsel to the king. This marked an important step towards creating a system that involved representatives from different clans in decision-making processes.
3. The Assembly
To ensure broader participation in governance, Romulus also created an assembly known as the Comitia Curiata. This assembly was organized according to Roman citizens’ curiae or wards and was responsible for electing new kings and passing laws proposed by them.
Through this assembly, Romulus encouraged citizen involvement in the political process, allowing them to have a say in the selection of their leaders and shaping the laws that governed their daily lives.
4. The Division of Power
Romulus divided Rome’s population into three tribes: Ramnes, Tities, and Luceres. Each tribe was further divided into ten curiae, ensuring a balance of power and representation across different groups.
By instituting this division, Romulus aimed to prevent any single group from dominating Roman politics. This arrangement laid the groundwork for future developments in Roman governance and provided a framework for a more inclusive political system.
5. Military Leadership
Apart from his political contributions, Romulus was also an accomplished military leader. He organized the Roman men into legions and established effective military strategies that would later contribute to Rome’s expansion and dominance in Italy.
Under Romulus’ leadership, Rome successfully defended itself against neighboring tribes and secured its position as a formidable force in the region. His military prowess played a significant role in establishing Rome’s reputation as a powerful city-state.
In Conclusion
Romulus’ rule marked the beginning of Rome’s journey towards becoming one of the greatest empires in history. Through his establishment of institutions like the Senate and the Comitia Curiata, as well as his military leadership, he laid the foundations for Rome’s future development and governance systems.
While much of Romulus’ story is steeped in myth and legend, his contributions to Rome’s early governance cannot be denied. The principles he introduced helped shape Rome’s political structure and set it on a path towards greatness.