Roman Building Projects

A Marker of Social Organization and Military Success

Archaic Rome

Regia/Domus Regia

  • Royal residence of the King of Rome, built around the early to mid-8th century BC, probably the reign of Romulus, although ancient sources point to Numa Pompilius as the builder
    • Carandini states that the archeological evidence supports Romulus as the likely builder
    • Within the Regia was the shrine of Mars which housed objects sacred to the Roman state–sacred shield (ancile), thought to have fallen from heaven, and spears (hastae)
      • Such an object(s), one imbued with the sacral, with symbolic protective significance, was called a palladium; its possession ensured the sovereignty of the city
  • The religious and political center of the city; in the early years, we think inauguration of certain structures and actions entailed human sacrifice; establishment of the city Pomerium (Roma Quadrata), the building of the Domus Regia (Carandini)
  • After the inundation of 650-635 BC, the Regia was rebuilt in stone
  • During the reign of the Tarquin kings, the site was moved and the Tarquin residence was separated from that of the Rex Sacrorum (king of sacrifices/high priest of the state) which indicates a secular shift for the Royal house
Domus Regia
The first archaic Domus Regia circa 775-750 BC. The building was built using the same techniques as the huts on the Palatine Hill, only much larger. The walls were made of wattle and daub, the roof was thatched and the columns were made of wood. Based on a sketch by R. Merlo in Rome: Day One by Andrea Carandini. Rendered by Sebastian Michalski for Pro Romanis, a GENCYA Communications website.
Interior of Domus Regia
Interior of the Domus Regia, late afternoon. Based on a sketch by R. Merlo in Rome: Day One by Andrea Carandini. Developed in 3-D by Sebastian Michalski for Pro Romanis, a GENCYA Communications website.
Interior of Domus Regia
Interior of the Domus Regia, overcast day. Based on a sketch by R. Merlo in Rome: Day One by Andrea Carandini. Developed in 3-D by Sebastian Michalski for Pro Romanis, a GENCYA Communications website.

We know how the sacred shields looked because a coin from the Augustan period depicted the shields on its reverse side.

Silver denarius from the time of Augustus
This is a silver denarius from the time of Augustus. On the reverse you can see the sacred shield (ancile) that is said to have fallen from heaven. The early Romans had 11 identical ones made in order to obscure the original. They were hung from the wall in the waiting hall (shrine of Mars) of the Regia.

Political and military implications

  • Initial construction reflects the combined sacral-political-military function of the early archaic Roman state
    • Sufficient economic surplus to build a shrine to Mars and a house for the augur-rex (augur-priest-king); to date, it is the largest building found by archeologists for the early regal period
    • The political organization, power and will exist to enable the kings to build the Regia
    • There is an accepted narrative that justifies the effort expended in building the Regia
    • Presence of palladium (protective object), in this case the shield (ancile) that fell from heaven, thus central to the city for its well-being
    • These items—ancilia (12 shields) and hastae (12 spears)—were housed in a shrine to Mars, an integral part of the Domus Regia
    • Before going to war, the spears were shaken, creating a loud noise invoking Mars for assistance (Mars vigila, Mars awake)
    • The east room contained the sanctuary of Ops Consiva, the consort of Saturn and goddess of plenty; only the pontifex maximus and the vestals were allowed to enter this room
Carandini, A (trans: Stephen Sartarelli) Rome Day One. Princeton University Press 2011.
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