The Origins of Rome

A History of Mankind (102)

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Rome was long caught in a seemingly never-ending cycle of small wars and vendettas with neighbors and interlopers.

In a typical story from the Seventh Century BC, when it was arranged that a war between Rome and Alba Longa would be decided by a three-on-three fight between the Roman brothers Horatii and the Curiatii Albans, only one Horatii survived and won it.

On his way back, this man came across his sister, betrothed to one Curiatii, who was weeping for her loss. Right there, where the later Porta Capena would stand, Horatii killed her with his sword.[1]

Much of what was later seen as characteristically Roman, including the Vestal Virgins priesthood that cultivated the city’s sacred fire, dates back to the city’s monarchical era, under Etruscan kings[1]. Rome was also close to the Greek colonies of Magna Italia and their cultural influences, so a Roman Republic eventually was established in 509 BC when these kings were dethroned, and the word “king” itself became a dangerous one to utter in the city[2]. This was just one year before Athenian democracy was established after the last tyrant ran away from the advancing Spartans.