Tullus Hostilius

Tullus Hostilius was the third king of Rome (c. 673-641 BC), after the death of Numa Pompilius. Tullus Hostilius was the grandson of the Roman champion Hostius Hostilius, who served under the rule of Romulus.

Tullus was a very aggressive king who sacked Alba Longa.

During the fighting, one of Tullus' men, named Publius Horatius, challenged three Alban champions against three Roman warriors. Two of Horatius' companions were killed in the fighting. The three Albans were wounded, but Horatius was outnumbered three to one. The three Albans pursued Horatius. Since the three Albans ran at different speeds, it gave Horatius the opportunity to stop and fight one Alban warrior at a time. Each time, Horatius would stop and face, then kill an Alban before running again. Only Horatius survived.

When Horatius returned home in triumph, his sister saw her brother holding the clothes of her Alban betrothed. When she mourned for her betrothed's death, Horatius killed her for being unpatriotic. Horatius was acquitted for killing his sister.

Tullus captured Mettius Fufetius, the Alban leader. He had Mettius torn to pieces by tying his limbs to horses. Tullus also waged a long and successful war against the Sabines.

Tullus may have built the Curia Hostilia, the building for the Senate.

Legend has it that Tullus became superstitious after ruling for 32 years. Rome was suffering from the plague. Tullus was at the temple of Jupiter Elicius when he was struck down by lightning. Ancus Marcius succeeded Tullus Hostilius.

His descendants probably survived in the Roman Republic, because the name of Hostilius was elected several times to the consulship.