Famous Men of Ancient Rome
(Some students might find it helpful to look on page 70 in Latin Christiana book--the book mentioned
there is NOT the same book we are using, but it will highlight some of the same important historical
information. I found that many of the questions there could be answered by our readings.)
This is not in true outline form--mostly just key facts or themes pulled from each chapter. Let me
know if you have questions or something doesn't make much sense. But these are designed more to
trigger the highlights from what is read than to be a "Cliff's Notes" summary.
I. Romulus (and Remus)
settled in Alba near the Tiber River
people were descendents of Aeneas and called Latins
Romulus and Remus ordered to be thrown into river by king who didn't want competition (think
of it as a cross between the story of Moses in Egypt and King Herod in Jesus' time. They floated in a
basket in the river)
saved and nursed by a she-wolf and then a farmer
built the city on Palatine Hill, where the she-wolf had nursed them
the signs of the gods appeared to favor Romulus; he killed Remus for leaping over his wall
Rome founded in 753 B.C
Rome made a city of refuge, so men flocked to city but no women
they stole Sabine women for wives
II. Numa Pompilius
established the forums
encouraged people to be self-supporting, independent citizens
helped surrounding nations and made allies--no wars during his reign
pay attention to Roman gods mentioned in this chapter
III. The Horatii and the Curiatii
war between Rome and Alba
it was decided that it is better to have a few soldiers from each side die rather than a whole army
3 men from each side selected to battle each other--the 3 Horatii and the 3 Curiatii
2 Horatii killed first, but Hortius still triumphs and kills all 3 Curiatii
also kills his sister for mourning her Curiatii fiance
IV. The Tarquins
built sea harbor at mouth of the Tiber
built temple to Jupiter
built the Capitol
built the wall around the city
established the police force
built and established the Circus
improved the Forum
built the sewer (still in use today)
the Sibylline books
V. Junius Brutus
his brother was murdered by the king, so he pretended to be an idiot so he would be spared
fulfilled prophecy by kissing the ground
when he vowed to avenge Lucretia, he dropped the simpleton act and proved himself a mighty
warrior and leader
Tarquin was banished and Brutus became one of the 2 consuls
sentenced his own sons to death for betrayal
died in a battle that was ended by a voice from the woods--the people believed it to be a god
VI. Horatius
Tarquin was trying to retake throne
army has to cross the Tiber, so Romans destroy the bridge to keep them out
Horatius and 2 other men hold off the army until the bridge could be completely destroyed
Horatius ended up having to swim to the other side when the bridge went down--it was thought
the gods enabled him to do so. Statue erected in his honor
VII. Mucius the Left-Handed
enemy ships stationed in Tiber to cut off Rome's supplies
Mucius plans to sneak into enemy camp and kill the king
mistakenly kills secretary instead and is captured
tells king that others would come and thrusts hand into fire to demonstrate courage and
determination
300 men have vowed to kill king, so king makes peace with Rome. Mucius in honored. Called
Left-Handed because of his burned right hand
VIII. Coriolanus
brave soldier, but very contemptuous of the common people
opposed allowing the commoners to elect tribunes--to the point of attempting to withhold food
if they did so
learned he would be tried for treason so fled the city
joined with Rome's enemies to attack the city--stopped by his mother
IX. The Fabii
rich and powerful family
one accused of not dividing the spoils with the fighting men properly and fairly
ended up leaving Rome
warred with another city
all killed during a religious festival
X. Cincinnatus
AEquians plundering Roman farms
AEquian king insulted the messengers so a war began
AEquians pretended to retreat but trapped the Romans in a valley
Cincinnatus was elected dictator and successfully rescued the Roman army and defeated the
AEquians
forced the AEquians to pass under the yoke (very humiliating)
celebrated as a hero, but gave up his dictatorship and went back to his farm
XI. Camillus
Romans attempt to take the city of Veii (380 BC)
a number of armies band together against Rome; Camillus is made dictator
sneakily sacrificed an ox to Juno under the noses of the Veientians (prophecy that the
sacrificing of that ox would win the war)
Falerii schoolmaster offered Camillus the boys of the city but Camillus honorably refused and
had the schoolmaster scourged. The city made peace with Rome because of it.
charged with taking too much spoil and left Rome. Predicted they would want him back one day
Gaul attacks and besieges Capitol--the people send for Camillus
the men defending the Capitol are alerted to attacking Gauls by flock of geese
Rome was going to pay gold to Gauls to end the war, but the Gauls cheated on the scale
Camillus arrives at this point--says there will be no payment of gold and drives out the Gauls
XII. Manlinus Tarquatus
fought and killed a Gaul giant even though a small man
stern and severe as consul
executed own son for disobeying orders regarding battle
XIII. Appius Claudius Caecus (312-308 BC)
censor --in charge of census, tax collection, public buildings, roads and so forth
built aqueducts
built the road from Rome to Capua called the Appian Way (parts still exist today)
"the greatest of his countrymen in works of peace"
encouraged Rome to fight on when at war with the Greeks
"Pyrrhic victory"=victory that comes at too great a cost. See quote by Pyrrhus
XIV. Regulus
war with Carthage--the First Punic War
Rome=strong army Carthage=strong navy (fighting over Sicily)
Regulus organizes Romans to invade Carthage and is made a prisoner
promises captors he will return to Carthage if Rome does not accept terms of peace
he urges Rome NOT to accept the terms
keeps his word and returns to Carthage--where he is exectued
241 B.C.--end of the First Punic War. Carthage must give up Sicily and pay heavy fines to
Rome
XV. Scipio Africanus
218 B.C. Carthage attacks town in Spain--a Roman ally. Start of the Second Punic War.
Scipio wins great victories in Africa.
Hannibal is the Carthagenian general
Scipio decides that Rome has been fighting a defensive war and must go on the offensive
sets houses on fire--launches attack in the confusion as people flee
Hannibal offers peace, but Scipio declines
Hannibal flees in 202 BC
XVI. Cato the Censor
fought against Hannibal army
said when he led the army they could conquer 400 villages in 400 days
although he had great military success, he is known for his enforcement of strict discipline and
heavy taxation of luxuries and indulgences
ended every speech, regardless of subject, with "And my opinion is that Carthage must be
destroyed."
there is a 3 year siege of Carthage
all of Spain becomes a Roman province
146 B.C. Carthage is captured and destroyed--end of the last Punic War