ROME- ETRUSCAN KINGS (2) Flashcards
Who was the fifth king of Rome?
Lucius Tarquinius Priscus
Who was the sixth king of Rome?
Priscus’ adopted son, Servius Tullius
Who was the seventh king of Rome?
One of Priscus’ biological children, Tarquinius Superbus
What is urnfield culture?
A culture that spread from central Europe into Italy; the name comes from the custom of cremating the dead and placing their ashes in urns
What is orientalising culture?
Art and technology from places like Syria influenced Greek cultures, as can be seen in pottery or metalwork of the period (late 8th century BC)
Whom was the Etruscan trade system with?
Egypt, Greece, Phoenicia, and Rome
What were some originally Etruscan practices?
Vestal Virgins and lictors
Who were the Etruscan kings?
Greeks who came from the Etruscan city Tarquinii. Livy claims Priscus was descended from Demaratus who fled Corinth in 657 and then created a trade empire in Tarquinii
How did Priscus come to the throne? (Part 1)
When Demaratus died, his eldest son, Lucumo, inherited his wealth. Livy suggested he could not stand for office as he was half-Greek. However, he knew that Numa had become king of Rome, even though he was not fully Roman. His wife, Tanaquil encouraged him to move to Rome.
What does Livy say happened to Lucumo as he reached Rome? (part 2)
As Lucumo saw the gates of Rome, and eagle flew down and snatched his cap, circled above him a few times, and then placed it back on his head. Tanaquil saw this as an opportunity for her husband to secure the throne of Rome. (part 2)
How does Dionysius explain did Priscus come to the throne? (part 3)
Lucumo, after seeing the omen went straight to the king, telling him that he had more money than any man would need, and was happy to give much of his wealth to the Roman people. Ancus was delighted and assigned him and his followers to one of the curiae, and gave him a plot of land. Ancus also suggested the Lucumo adopt a Roman name. So Lucumo became Lucius Tarquinius Priscus. (part 3)
What was a curiae?
One of the original groupings of the citizenry, eventually numbering 30, and later every Roman citizen was presumed to belong to one.
How did Priscus win over the people of Rome? (part 4)
He was a great horseman and fought bravely in the wars he funded for the king. He had good judgement and won the support of the patricians and the plebeians by investing so much money and affection into the city. (part 4)
How do Dionysius’ and Livy’s accounts of how Priscus became king differ?
Dionysius suggested that Priscus became king through his charitable nature and military record, but Livy suggests that ambitus was significant
What is ambitus?
Behaviour of men who used political corruption or bribery to gain power
Why is Priscus associated with ambitus?
Largesse- giving people gifts or money
Removing Ancus’ children from Rome to clear his way to power.
What happens to Priscus?
He was murdered by Ancus’ children in attempt to seize control of Rome from a foreigner
What were Priscus’ political changes?
Added one hundred of his men to the senate (described by Livy as ‘lesser families;, but by Dionysius as good warriors or excellent administrators)
Constructed the Circus Maximus
How old was Priscus when he was murdered?
80 years old
What did Priscus grant the patricians in the Circus Maximus?
To build their own 12-foot-high seating areas
What did Priscus change socially?
The construction of the Circus allowed Priscus to increase the number of festivals and games in Rome. Etruscan boxing and chariot racing were among the entertainments provided
The Forum was extended, and shops and colonnades were constructed
The construction of an open-air sewer was commenced, which would, under Superbus, become the Cloaca Maximus
What did Priscus change religiously?
He increased the number of vestal virgins to six
He introduced harsher punishments for Vestals who broke their vow of chastity