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King of Rome
Tullus Hostilius
673 B.C. - 641 B.C.
Tullus Hostilius was of Roman
ethnicity, and born at Rome.
He built the Curia Hostilia,
Rome's first senate
house.
Tullus waged war against Alba Longa.
When it seemed that neither side
would win they agreed to a battle
between the Horatii and the Curiatii.
The Horatii were male triplets from
Rome. The Curiatii were male
triplets from Alba Longa.
In the battle three Curiatii were
wounded and two Horatii were
killed.
The last Horatii, Publius, turned to
flee and the Curiatii followed him.
Because of their wounds though
they became separated.
This enabled Publius to slay them
one by one.
When Publius Horatius returned
carrying the spoils of the battle, his
sister cried out in grief because she
realized the Curiatii to whom she
had been engaged was dead.
Then Horatius killed his sister,
proclaming, "So perish any Roman
woman who mourns the enemy."
For the murder he was sentenced to
death but his father appealed to the
people who acquitted him.
Tullus paid little attention to religious
observances during his reign. He was
struck ill and then attempted to carry out
sacrifices recommended by Numa to
Juppiter.
However, Tullus did not undertake the
ceremony correctly and he and his
house was struck by lightening and
reduced to ashes as a result of the anger
of Juppiter.