Ancus Marcius
When the previous king, Tullus Hostilius, died, the Romans elected Ancus Marcius as their new king. Ancus was most likely elected because he was the grandson of the second king, Numa Pompilius. Pompilius was focused on making religion better in Rome, but the third king, Hostilius, loved war, and did not have much appreciation for the gods. The Senate and the people of Rome wanted a religious king, and knowing Ancus was the grandson of a religious king, elected him. Ancus was born around the year of 703 B.C. After he was elected by the senate in 640 B.C. to be the fourth king of Rome, he spent his first few years battling the Latin Tribes outside of Rome. Since Marcius liked to do things like war in the proper way, he went through with the process of officially calling war on the Tribes. The war was successful, and Rome gained large areas of land, while incorporating the Latin Tribes onto its population.
Ancus then set about establishing religion in Rome. He displayed the religious practices and rights to the public to make sure that everyone was practicing religion correctly. In addition to establishing religion, King Marcius also built up fortifications, and Rome's first prison, due to the fact that Rome was starting to have to deal with the problem on crime. Ancus also built up defensive fortifications on the outskirts of the city, implying that the area was not entirely secure.
Ancus Marcius, because he was so focused on religion, was considered a weak ruler by many of the surrounding tribes. Because of his perceived weakness, he often got attacked, but every single time, Marcius seemed to come out on top, keeping Rome safe. One time, Ancus lost the city of Politorium, and then, out of frustration, burned it to the ground so that it could not be won and then lost ever again.
Ancus ruled for 24 years, starting a golden age of religion in Rome that would last for the next couple of kings. Ancus wasn't thought to be one of the best rulers of Rome there ever was, leaving the throne with a crime ridden city with general unrest, but he certainly helped Rome advance through the next stages after he died in 616 B.C. Preceding his death, even though he had two living sons, Tarquinius Priscus took the throne.
Ancus then set about establishing religion in Rome. He displayed the religious practices and rights to the public to make sure that everyone was practicing religion correctly. In addition to establishing religion, King Marcius also built up fortifications, and Rome's first prison, due to the fact that Rome was starting to have to deal with the problem on crime. Ancus also built up defensive fortifications on the outskirts of the city, implying that the area was not entirely secure.
Ancus Marcius, because he was so focused on religion, was considered a weak ruler by many of the surrounding tribes. Because of his perceived weakness, he often got attacked, but every single time, Marcius seemed to come out on top, keeping Rome safe. One time, Ancus lost the city of Politorium, and then, out of frustration, burned it to the ground so that it could not be won and then lost ever again.
Ancus ruled for 24 years, starting a golden age of religion in Rome that would last for the next couple of kings. Ancus wasn't thought to be one of the best rulers of Rome there ever was, leaving the throne with a crime ridden city with general unrest, but he certainly helped Rome advance through the next stages after he died in 616 B.C. Preceding his death, even though he had two living sons, Tarquinius Priscus took the throne.