Tullus Hostilius, the third king of Rome, reigned from approximately 673–642 BC. He was a legendary figure, whose rule was marked by war and aggressive expansion. He is well-known for his triumph over the neighboring town Alba Longa, which solidified Roman dominance in the region. The tales of his courage and military prowess were handed down generations and they contributed to the deep-seated Roman cultural trait of militarism. Hostilius stands as the epitome of the warrior-king archetype in Roman history. Noteworthy among his conquests was the subjugation of Alba Longa. After a drawn-out conflict, Hostilius proposed a resolution by way of a champions’ duel, pitting three Roman brothers against three from Alba Longa. The victory of the Roman trio, the Horatii, spelled the defeat and eventual incorporation of Alba Longa into Roman territory. He also constructed the Senate house known as the Curia Hostilia, which became a prominent symbol of Roman government. His end, however, was as dramatic as his life – it is said that he was struck down by a lightning bolt from an angry Jupiter, an ironic end for a warrior king.
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