Titus Tatius was traditionally second king of Rome. He was of Sabine origin from the town of Cures. He was king there before being appointed commander-in-chief by the Sabine confederacy, which wanted to avenge the abduction of their women and put an end to the progress of a burgeoning Rome (see Tarpeia). Tatius' camp was situated by Dionysus of Halicarnassus as well as by Propertius in the depression which separates the Capitol from the Quirinal in the region of the Comitium. After the two peoples were reconciled through the initiative of Hersilia and the Sabine women, it was decided that the Sabines and Romans would in future be one race and that Tatius and Romulous would share the power in the city which was thus formed. This city would keep the name of Rome from its founder, but its citizens would be called Quirites in memory of Tatius' homeland. Tatius would dwell on the citadel of the Capitol and Romulous on the Palatine.
This joint reign lasted for five years during which time Tatius kept a very low profile. But in the fifth year some of his relations and compatriots quarrelled with some Laurentine ambassadors who were on their way to Rome and finally killed them after first trying to rob them. Romulous wanted to punish this attack on the rights of his people but Tatius successfully saved his relations. However friends of the victims attacked and killed Tatius during a sacrifice which the two kings were offering at Lavinium. Although Romulous was in their power they did not harm him but escorted him to Rome, boasting of his justice. Romulous brought Tatius' body back to Rome and gave him great funeral honours. He was buried on the Aventine, near the Armilustrium, but Romulous took no steps to punish his colleague's murderers. Certain authors even claimed that although the Laurentines handed over the murderers of their own accord, Romulous freed them, saying that justice had been done.
{E2 DICTIONARY OF CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY}
Table of Sources:
- Plutarch, Romulous 20 and 23
- Dion. Hal. Ant. Rom. 2, 36ff.
- Livy 1, 10; 1, 14
- Prop. 4, 4
- Ovid, Fasti 1, 260ff