Autocrat- A Roman History Podcast
Jul 26, 2026 · 20 min · 11 segments
Ancus Marcius comes to the throne- maybe after murdering his predecessor- and finds himself fighting endless wars with the Sabines, Latins, and whoever else wants to have a go. But Ancus isn't the…
We left off last time in 640 BCE.
Rome has been a state for 113 years and its third king, Tullus Hostilius, had just died.
He was replaced in a public election by Ancus Marcius after maybe stabbing him in the face.
No, no, it was definitely a house fire, Ancus tells everyone.
Ignore the sword with blood dripping off it, that's just an illusion.
Let's see how he gets on.
Apparently, Marcius was chosen by the Interregis.
Right.
Also, Dionysus gives his name as Marcius Ancus, with Ancus being the surname.
Ugh, of course there's multiple versions.
I mean, that's not the version most people give us.
Yeah.
Yeah, I mean, maybe I'm misunderstanding it and his name is something like, I don't know, let's say Marcus Ancus Marcius, but I don't know.
We're going with the version most people give.
Yeah.
Okay.
That either means the two years Interregnum or Dio just got the year wrong, as he agrees Marcius reigns 24 years.
Right.
Okay.
Oh.
Very helpful.
Yeah, so helpful.
We left off last time in 640 BCE.
Rome has been a state for 113 years and its third king, Tullus Hostilius, had just died.
He was replaced in a public election by Ancus Marcius after maybe stabbing him in the face.
No, no, it was definitely a house fire, Ancus tells everyone.
Ignore the sword with blood dripping off it, that's just an illusion.
Let's see how he gets on.
Apparently, Marcius was chosen by the Interregis.
Right.
Also, Dionysus gives his name as Marcius Ancus, with Ancus being the surname.
Ugh, of course there's multiple versions.
I mean, that's not the version most people give us.
Yeah.
Yeah, I mean, maybe I'm misunderstanding it and his name is something like, I don't know, let's say Marcus Ancus Marcius, but I don't know.
We're going with the version most people give.
Yeah.
Okay.
That either means the two years Interregnum or Dio just got the year wrong, as he agrees Marcius reigns 24 years.
Right.
Okay.
Oh.
Very helpful.
Yeah, so helpful.
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