Home
Membership
Roman kings: myth, memory and the making of power

Roman kings: myth, memory and the making of power

Ancient historian Christopher Smith uncovers how seven legendary figures shaped Rome’s ideas of power and identity

Emily Briffett

Published: September 4, 2026 at 12:49 PM

Save

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp
Email to a friend

Before Rome's republic and the age of emperors, there were kings… or so the story goes. Beginning with Romulus, and ending with Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, these rulers loomed large in the Roman imagination – but is their narrative fact or fiction?

In this episode, Emily Briffett is joined by ancient historian Christopher Smith, as they sift myth from memory, and uncover how seven legendary figures shaped Rome’s ideas of power and identity.

Authors

Emily BriffettSenior content producer (podcasts)

Emily Briffett is senior content producer (podcasts) at HistoryExtra