S8 Ep211: ROMAN KINGSHIP: FROM CITIZEN SELECTION TO THE IDEAL OF SERVICE Colleague Professor Edward J. Watts. Early Roman kings were selected by citizens based on merit rather than heredity, but figures like Servius Tullius began bypassing this consent. Conversely,

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John Batchelor

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🗓️ 19 December 2025

⏱️ 11 minutes

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ROMAN KINGSHIP: FROM CITIZEN SELECTION TO THE IDEAL OF SERVICE Colleague Professor Edward J. Watts. Early Roman kings were selected by citizens based on merit rather than heredity, but figures like Servius Tullius began bypassing this consent. Conversely, Cincinnatus exemplifies the Roman ideal of service; he accepted absolute dictatorial power to save the state during a crisis, then immediately resigned to return to his farm. NUMBER 9
1583 LIVY

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0:33.1	This is CBS Eye on the World. Here's John Batchelor. This is CBSI. On the World. I'm John Batchel. Edward J. Watts is a distinguished professor at the University of California at San Diego. He is the endowed chair of Alciviatus Vesiliatus.
0:57.8	He takes us, however, in hand from the 21st century to the 6th century BCE.
1:04.5	The book is the Romans, a 2000-year history.
1:08.7	Professor, a very good evening to you.
1:10.2	Congratulations. We b-step Romulus and
1:14.7	Remus as not substantive enough to speculate. Besides, it very much flatters the men who
1:22.7	invented them. We come to an historical figure, Servius Tullius, and also an historic figure in the 6th century,
1:33.7	Lucius Tarkinius Priscus. Both these men had claim on kingship, but as we know, and having read
1:41.2	the time of Caesar, kingship is kryptonite to Romans.
1:46.1	What happens in the 6th and 5th century that creates that prejudice?
1:50.2	Good evening to you.
1:51.7	Hi, how are you?
1:52.6	I'm really glad to be here and thank you for the congratulations in the book.
	...

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