Ancus Marcius was the fourth king of Rome . He probably reigned from 642 to 616 B.C. He was the grandson of Numa Pompilius , the second king of Rome. Legend contrasts the reign of Ancus with that of his warlike predecessor Tullus Hostilius. It also portrays him as possessing a balance of the qualities of the former Roman kings Romulus , a fine political and military leader, and Numa Pompilius, who had a strong interest in religious matters.
Ancus’s first act as king was to ensure that the religious rites established by Numa Pompilius were carried out correctly. He ordered the pontifex maximus (chief priest) to write down and distribute these rites publicly, so the people could learn and practice them. Ancus also declared war against the Latins, people who lived in the Latium region around Rome. The Latins had invaded Rome’s territory. Ancus established a priesthood and religious ritual to declare war on the Latins. The ritual involved throwing a spear into enemy territory to formally declare war. In the conflict that followed, thousands of Latins were given Roman citizenship and settled near the Aventine Hill in Rome.
Ancus is credited with including the Janiculum Hill, on the west bank of the Tiber River , within Rome’s borders. He also is credited with building Rome’s first prison, the Tullianum, now called the Mamertine Prison. In addition, he is said to have extended Rome’s territory to the sea. Some ancient Roman writers said he established the port of Ostia, a town at the mouth of the Tiber River. However, modern archaeologists have not found evidence dating back that far in Ostia’s ruins.
