The Growth Of The Republic
Over the next 2,000 years, the Plebeians used a series of protests to gradually win political equality. First, they demanded the laws to be written down. That way the patricians couldn't change them at will. Around 451 b.c.e. the patricians agreed. The laws were written down on tablets called the Twelve Tables. Next, in 367 b.c.e a new law said that one of the two Roman consuls held seats in the senate, so, this change also made it possible for Plebeians to become senators. Finally, in 287 b.c.e. the Plebeians gained the right pass laws for all Roman citizens could approve or reject laws.
At first, Rome was just one, small city-state in an area of Latin-speaking people, called Latium on the west side of Italy's Peninsula. Rome, as a monarchy, founded in 753 b.c., couldn't even keep foreign powers from ruling it. It started gaining strength from about 510 b.c. (when the Romans threw out their last king) until the middle of the 3rd century b.c. During the early Republican period, Rome made and broke strategic treaties with neighboring groups in order to help her conquer other city-states. In the end, after revising her battle tactics, weapons, and legions, Rome emerged as the undisputed leader of Italy. This quick look at the growth of Rome names the events leading to Rome's domination over the peninsula.
Etruscan & Italic kings of Rome
Rome was ruled by 7 kings.
- The first was Romulus, whose ancestry is traced to Trojan War prince Aeneas.
- The next king was a Sabine --a region of Latium northeast of Rome--, Numa Pompilius.
- The third king was a Roman, Tullus Hostilius, Albans who welcomed the into Rome.
- The fourth king was Numa's grandson, Ancus Martius. After him came the 3 Etruscan kings.
- Tarquinius Priscus
- His son-in-law Servius Tullius
- Tarquin's son, the last king of Rome, known as Tarquinius Superbus or Tarquin the Proud.