The Oath of the Horatii, Jacques Louis David, 1784 (Louvre)

After the death of Romulus, the legend has it that the Sabines needed further appeasement. To keep the peace, a Sabine king was chosen, Numa Pompilus (715-673 BCE). According to Plutarch, Numa was reluctant to take the position, but was finally persuaded. His reign was long and peaceful.

The 3rd king, Tullius Hositilius further expanded the influence and size of Rome. Tullius Hositilius is best known for his defeat of Alba Longa and the removal of its people to Rome. The famous story of the Horatii comes to us from Livy and is about this famous battle.

The Romans and Alba Longans decided to end the war between the two cities by means of a combat of champions. The three Horatii brothers and the three Curiati brothers fought for their cities. Jacques Louis David, an 18th century French painter captured the drama of this story in the painting, The Oath of the Horatii*. The sister of the Horatii brothers is in love with one of the Curiatii brothers, and the women's lamentations before the battle are clearly shown. The men however, displaying a supreme Roman virtue, putting loyalty to the state above personal concerns, will not be moved.

The 4th king, Ancus Marcius, extended the city across the Tiber and established the port of Ostia.

*David hoped to inspire similar virtues in the French in the early days of the French Revolution.

This is part of The Roman Kings Exhibit