Early Roman History to the fall of Tarquin
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The problem of sources
By primary source is meant firsthand evidence of historical events. The problem is that there are with very few exceptions virtually no written primary sources for early Roman history. The results of archaeological work provides primary sources - excavations, pottery, metalwork, weapons; however, unless accompanied by inscriptions these to do provide a chronology. Their significance also has to be interpreted. Writing was introduced to Italy via the Greek colony of Cumae during the seventh century BC. If written records were kept during the period of the Roman kings, then they did not survive. One exception is the discovery of a broken stone pillar under the Lapis Niger in the Roman Forum bearing an inscription in archaic Latin that may contain the word for a king and a dedication to an unknown deity. In c. 390 BC Rome was sacked and subsequently burnt by the Galls; according to tradition various cult objects and records survived, but this event will have created difficulties for subsequent Roman historians. Virtually everything we know about early Roman history comes from the work of later Roman historians and annalists. However, even this work has not come to us directly. Many of these works have also been lost, and their contents may only be partially reconstructed from surviving fragments or references in the works of other later writers. The standards of these historians do not match the standards of modern historiography. Their work is heavily influenced by bias. Myth-making serving later emotional and cultural needs is also evident. The inevitable conclusion is that nothing is known for certain about early Roman history. However, some events are more probable than others; in some cases we can speak with a high degree of confidence
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Contents of
Early Roman History to the fall of Tarquin
1 Latium and Rome - the site of Rome
2 The ancient Latins
3 The problem of sources
4 Fabius Pictor and Cincius Alimentus
5 The Roman annalists
6 Greek references to early Roman history
7 The work of the Roman annalists
8 Primary sources for Roman history
9 Further primary sources for early Roman history
10 The traditional account of early Roman History from Livy
11 Ascanius
12 Romulus
13 Numa Pmplius
14 Tulius Hostilius
15 Mettius
16 Ancus Marcius
17 Tarquinius Priscus
18 Servius Tullius
19 Tarquinius Superbus
20 The Rape of Lucretia
21 Lars Porsenna
22 Rome, Latium and the foundation of Rome c. 1200 BC - c. 750 BC
23 The founding of Rome
24 Mont Cavo in the Alban Hills
25 The Palatine Hill
26 The myth of the Sabine women
27 The early Kings of Rome c. 750 BC - c. 600 BC
28 Early constitution of Rome
29 The period of the Etruscan preponderance: c. 600 BC - c. 510 BC
30 The reign of Servius
31 The reign of Tarquinius Superbus
32 The foundation of the Roman Republic
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