The conditions of this treaty were highly favourable to both parties. It was stipulated that the two kings should reside and reign jointly at Rome; that the name of Quirites, peculiar to the Sabines, should be taken by the Romans, while the city should preserve the name of Rome, and the Sabines enjoy all the pri vileges of Roman citizens. Peculiar marks of distinc tion were conferred on the Sabine women; and their children were allowed to wear decorations and gar ments to distinguish them from the rest of the people.
During the joint reign of Tatius and Romulus, the city of Cameria was reduced, and 4000 of the Came rini transplanted to Rome. An affray, however, un luckily arose between the kinsmen of Tatius and the Laurentian ambassadors, and when the king went to an annual sacrifice at Lavinium, the populace rose and put him to death. The Laurentians delivered up the assassins, but Romulus did not think it prudent to inflict upon them any punishment, and he contented himself with renewing the treaty between Rome and Laviniurn.
The progressive increase of the Roman state induc ed the inhabitants of Fidenx to disturb its tranquillity. A number of young men suddenly ravaged the coun try between Fidenx and Rome. Romulus lost no time in repelling this unlooked-for assault. He encamped his army about a mile from Fidenx, and by a skilful ambuscade, with which he deceived the Fidenates, he routed their army and pursued them into the heart of their capital. Having added the country of the Fide nates to his empire, the Vcientcs, dreading a similar fate, endeavoured to avert it by force of arms. Romu lus drew up his army to meet them, and after an ob stinate engagement he drove them within the walls of Veii, and forced them to sue for peace. Seven small towns on the Tiber, the salt pits near the mouth of the river, and fifty hostages, were the results of this short campaign.
Being thus freed from all opposition on the part of the neighbouring states, Romulus devoted the rest of his life to the improvement of the laws. He is said, however, to have conducted himself in such an arbi trary manner that the senate, whose rights he had usurped, resolved to destroy him, and accomplished their purpose during a review of his troops, when a violent storm had dispersed the army and left him in the hands of the senators. The body of Romulus was never seen; and it was found necessary to impose upon the soldiers the easy belief, that the violence of the tempest had carried up their divine sovereign and placed him among the gods.
During the interregnum which followed the death of Ropulus, the senate governed the kingdom; but, as all parties wished to be under the rule of a king, it was agreed that he should be a Sabine by birth, and that the Romans should make the election.
Numa Pompilius, who had married Tatia the late king's daughter, was unanimously chosen. Devoted to philosophy and the superstition of the times, he employed himself in cherishing the arts of peace. He promoted agriculture, reformed the calendar, divided the citizens into distinct trades, erected temples, and regulated the religious condition of the kingdom.
After a reign of forty-three years, he was succeeded by Tullus Hostilius, whose impetuous temper proved a striking contrast to that of Numa. A system of mutual plunder having been for some time carried on among the Roman and Alban peasants, a war ensued between the two nations. The Albans pitched their tents about five miles from Rome; but feeling that they were descended from the same stock, the contending armies seemed unwilling to fight. Ccelius, the Alban general, having been found dead in his tent, Mettius Fuffetius was chosen his successor. Intelligence, how ever, having arrived that the Veientes and Fidenates intended to attack the Romans and Albans after they had been weakened by battle, Fuffetius sent a herald to Tullus and decided upon the settlement of their differences by single combat.
In the Roman army there were three brothers born at one birth, called the Horatii, and in the Alban army there were other three also born at one birth, called the Curiatii. The rival armies agreed to sub mit their cause to the martial decision of these two families, and a treaty was formally ratified by which that nation whose representative champions came off victorious, should peacefully reign over the other. The arena of the combat lay between the marshalled hosts of the Romans and Albans. The combatants took their stations in the midst of the hopes and anxieties of their countrymen, and the glittering of their burnished swords and the clashing of their arms indicated the commencement of that fatal encounter. Three of the Albans were soon wounded, and two of the Romans having fallen dead beneath their blows, the surviving, but unhurt Roman, was soon surrounded by the three wounded Curiatii. Unable to contend with three antagonists, the Roman immediately re treated, and was followed at unequal distances by the three wounded Curiatii. No sooner did he perceive that he had succeeded in separating his enemies, than he turned round upon the nearest, and having slain him at one blow, he flew to encounter the second, whom he despatched before the third could come to his assistance. The joyful shouts which had so lately resounded from among the Alban legions, were now transferred to the Roman line. The wounded and dispirited Alban became an easy prey to the victori ous Roman, and yielded up with his life the sove reignty of Alba.