King Tullus Of Rome example essay topic

Background: The ambitious and resentful Mettius of Alban sought to turn Rome's allies against the great City. Though present at the battle he initiated, he fought for neither side, as he knew the victory could go either way. King Tullus of Rome realized this yet was able to turn Mettius indecisiveness to his advantage and won the battle. Following the fight, Tullus patiently waited to exposed the traitor. After doing so, the general is executed while his people are spared and given Roman citizenship.

Tanaquil, wife to a King of Rome, once cared for and accepted a widowed woman into the Palace as her home and husband had been destroyed by the Roman Army. Here, Servius Tullius was raised to be a fine Roman citizen; so outstanding that he was to wed the Kings daughter. This angered the sons of An cus and the King was murdered. Servius, though hesitant, took the thrown and ruled well for forty-four years. During a reprieve from battle, a group of young officers decides to prove their manhood through the honor of their wives. Traveling home, the group finds their wives entertaining various men yet one wife is home attending her duties.

Lucretia, deemed the best wife for she is both beautiful and proven chaste. The leader of this group, Sextus Tarquinius, is determined to take Lucretia as his own and returns one night to make his move. She resists but surrenders in the end when he threatens her with disgrace. Lucretia is unable to deal with these acts, and, after hearing the vengeful vows of her husband, she kills herself.

Brutus accompanied Collatinus to his wife's bedside following her rape. Brutus already has a yearning for Sextus' death and that of the Royal family (Sextus Tarquinius is son of King Lucio us Tarquin's). He now can bear no more and he appeals to the masses in Rome. The tales Brutus speaks enrage the citizens.

They exile the Royal family and Brutus and Collatinus take their seats as co-consuls, ending the reign of Kings over Rome. Analysis It is in this first story that much can be gained in and understanding of Roman values and character. Mettius, leader of Albans, is ungrateful of the clemency already bestowed his people. Vowing for revenge, he rallies support from neighboring provinces to raise their swords against Rome. When, during the battle, Mettius retreats from the fighting, it is apparent to King Tullus of Rome Mettius' plan. Tullus tells his own troops that the Albans are leaving to envelope the Fidenaes, who become scared and panic.

Tullus, with energized troops, takes on Venetians easily and then turns on the confused Fidenaes. His forces cut in half by Mettius cowardice, Tullus is undaunted and rally's to the occasion. The true strength of a Roman male was often dictated by their performance in battle. Tullus displayed great courage against uneven odds, calm thinking to create an advantage and a ferocious spirit in the heat of battle, allowing the Romans to win the day. Taking camp for the night, Tullus and his men are joined by Mettius. In the morning, after being told to arm themselves for the celebration parade, the Roman troops surround the Albans and their general.

Tullus explains that Mettius should have accepted his clemency the first time. Mettius is drawn between two chariots and mutilated before his troops. Tullus also understands that the Alban people are innocent and he moves them within Rome's walls. Tullus makes a firm decision in dealing with Mettius and making an example of him before the troops. In the next moment, however, the King is bestowing pardon upon the Albans and grants them citizenship. These seemingly contradictory actions illustrate an important aspect of Roman character.

Acts of compassion coupled with strong leadership off the battlefield were just as important as a ferocious and courageous spirit in battle. In the story of Servius, the importance of clemency and courage are again depicted. The Queen accepts the widowed mother openly into the palace with little regard for much but the safety of her and the child. Today, this concept is marred with thoughts of distrust and compensation, but not to the Romans. As the child grew, the palace members took great interest as it appeared that the child was spiritually guided. This was thought after the child's head exploded into flames one night and were extinguished easily when the child awoke.

It is clear that the Romans deeply believed in Godly influence as the highest authority in Rome, the Palace, was allowing a slave child to live within the walls because of unexplained events. The second important point to be found in this story is the value of courage to a Roman. With the murder of the King, Servius was asked to step up to the throne of Rome. Reminded of his chosen status (evidence again of Roman spirituality) and his upbringing as a Roman (to be courageous), Servius was lead to his post as King. Without any proper training in these duties, lacking royal heritage and in the face of a violent faction of revolutionaries, Servius took the thrown and ruled for forty-four years. In the story of Lucretia and Sextus, several new aspects of Roman values are expressed.

Lucretia heavily values the Roman idea of chastity to her husband Co atinus and several actions support this. Upon returning from battle, Co atinus finds his wife contently at home while other wives are entertaining male guests. Lucretia is content with her life as it means she will remain chaste to Co atinus, which is more important than social entertainment. Second, Sextus is near exhaustion in his attempts to win her heart.

She refuses him any satisfaction and in the end it takes a threat on, ironically, her chastity for him to win his prize. This is of such distress to Lucretia that even after she agrees with her husbands cries that she is not to blame, she cannot live with herself. Committing suicide, Lucretia shows the value of chastity to most Roman women. In the final story, the respect and demand for courage and peace off the battlefield are illustrated.

Brutus has lead a life that is consistently aggravated by the Royal family. He has lost friends, relatives and countrymen for unjustifiable reasons. So angered is he that it is almost uncontrollable. However, he shows great restraint and avoids violent means. Instead, he shows great courage and vows to single handedly take on the throne if need-be.

He speaks to the masses and organizes a march on Rome where the citizens solely support his goal. The King and royal family are exiled from Rome with no bloodshed. Brutus and Co atinus are instituted as consuls showing that a peaceful while courageous rise to power is obtainable and expected of its citizens in times of need. Assessment: The history of civilized people being as short as it is, relatively speaking, at the time of Livy's publish ment, Romans were at a loss for the expectations of a great society. Through these stories and tales, an understanding of what became most important to these early peoples becomes clear.

Being a good Roman, Romani tas, was at the forefront and could be established through various actions. These included pietas, ultimate loyalty to a provider, as Servius showed to the Queen when she asked him to take the throne. Dignity and honor as well as Ferocitas and Courage on the battlefield as shown by Tullus. However, courage off the field of battle as well, as shown again by Servius and Brutus. Clemency which was shown by the Queen as well as Tullus. Chastity and family values through Lucretia story.

All these values made a good Roman citizen and were taught to younger generations through Lives work.