The History of Rome, Book I: The Period Anterior to the Abolition of the Monarchy
1854
The History of Rome, Book I: The Period Anterior to the Abolition of the Monarchy
1854
Translated by William P. (William Purdie) Dickson
The first volume of Mommsen's masterpiece begins at the very beginning: the legendary founding of Rome by Romulus and the violent brotherhood that birthed a city destined to dominate the Mediterranean. Here is the archaic world in all its raw vitality: the Latin tribes settling the seven hills, the mysterious Etruscans to the north whose kings would shape Roman institutions, the Sabellians and Umbrians carving their mountain fastnesses. Mommsen guides us through the reigns of seven kings, from the warrior Romulus to the enlightened Numa, from the flamboyant Tarquinius Priscus to the tyrannical Tarquinius Superbus whose expulsion in 509 BCE inaugurated the Republic. This is not mere chronology but a passionate reconstruction of how Rome became Rome: its religious rites, its social stratifications, its military innovations, its constitutional experiments. Written in 1854 with literary verve that shocked contemporary scholars, Mommsen strips away legend while honoring how those founding myths shaped Roman identity. For anyone who has ever wondered what the Eternal City was before it became eternal.
About The History of Rome, Book I: The Period Anterior to the Abolition of the Monarchy
Chapter Summaries
- 1
- This chapter introduces the scope of the work, defining ancient history as the civilization of Mediterranean nations and placing Italy's history within this context. It describes Italy's geography, contrasting it with Greece, and outlines the two main sections of Italian history: internal unification and world sovereignty.
- 2
- Mommsen discusses the primitive races of Italy, noting the scarcity of archaeological evidence for pre-Indo-Germanic populations. He identifies three primitive Italian stocks through philological research: Iapygian, Etruscan, and Italian (Latin and Umbro-Samnite branches), detailing their linguistic characteristics and relationships to the Greeks and Indo-Germanic family.
- 3
- This chapter traces the Indo-Germanic migrations into Italy, focusing on the Latins who settled in Latium. It describes the geographical features of Latium, the development of clan-villages and cantons, and the formation of the Latin League, with Alba as its original presiding canton, emphasizing its religious and political significance.
Key Themes
- Formation and Evolution of the State
- Mommsen meticulously traces the origins of the Roman state from clan-based communities to a complex urban polity. He highlights the amalgamation of different groups (Ramnians, Tities, Luceres, Palatine and Quirinal cities) and the constitutional reforms (Servian) that integrated non-burgesses, demonstrating a continuous process of political consolidation and adaptation.
- Cultural and Ethnic Identity
- The book emphasizes the distinct identities of the Italian stocks (Latins, Umbro-Sabellians, Iapygians) and their interactions with foreign cultures (Greeks, Etruscans, Phoenicians). Mommsen argues for a unique Roman character, distinct from the Greeks, characterized by practicality, law, and national unity, while also acknowledging foreign influences on their development.
- Law and Justice
- Mommsen presents Roman law as a highly developed, consistent, and rigorous system, emphasizing its absolute nature in both public and private spheres. He contrasts its practical, unsentimental character with the more symbolic Germanic laws and the more lenient Greek approaches, highlighting its role in shaping Roman society and its unique principles of property, contract, and punishment.
Characters
- The Roman People(protagonist)
- The collective body of citizens, initially Ramnians, Tities, and Luceres, who form the core of the Roman state and its developing institutions.
- The King(protagonist)
- The absolute, lifelong ruler of the Roman community, holding supreme command in peace and war, and acting as chief priest and judge.
- The Senate(supporting)
- The council of elders, initially composed of clan heads, serving as the ultimate holder of ruling power during interregnums and guardian of the constitution.
- The Latins(protagonist)
- A branch of the Italian stock inhabiting Latium, forming a league of communities, and eventually unified under Rome's leadership.
- The Umbro-Sabellians(supporting)
- A primitive Italian stock, including Umbrians, Marsians, and Samnites, who migrated south and occupied central and eastern Italy.
- The Etruscans(antagonist)
- A distinct people in Italy, characterized by unique language, gloomy religion, and early urban and maritime development, often in conflict with Latins and Greeks.
