Famous Men of Rome · Ch. III · Unit 1: The kings of Rome

4. The Horatii and the Curiatii

Goal: Your child can tell how three Roman brothers fought three Alban brothers to decide a war, and how the last Horatius won.

⏱ About 20 minutes · 6 steps

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You'll need

  • The book, open to this chapter
  • A map of Italy and the Mediterranean (a free online map or a globe)
  • Paper and colored pencils

What's in the book

Chapter III: under King Tullus Hostilius, Rome and Alba agree to let three champions from each side fight instead of their armies. Two Horatii fall, but the last one pretends to run, separates the wounded Curiatii and defeats them one by one. Then, in anger, he kills his own sister for weeping over her Alban sweetheart.

The lesson, step by step

  1. Set the scene

    Remind your child that Alba was the little city where Romulus and Remus were born. Now Rome and Alba are quarreling.

  2. Read the chapter

    Read Chapter III aloud. It begins:

    The third king of Rome was Tullus Hostilius.

    Heads-up: the chapter ends with Horatius killing his sister. Read ahead and decide how much to read aloud to a younger child.

  3. Tell it back

    Prompts:

    - Why did the two kings choose champions instead of fighting a full battle?

    - What happened to the first two Roman brothers?

    - How did the last Horatius win against three?

  4. Talk it over

    Read what King Tullus said when he agreed:

    May the best men win!

    Ask:

    - Was Horatius running away because he was afraid, or was it a plan?

    - The book says the people would not let him be put to death for killing his sister, but he had to do a penance. What do you think of that?

  5. Remember it

    SayHoratii is the plural of Horatius. Three Horatii, one Horatius.

  6. Extra (optional)

    Draw the field with three Romans and three Albans, then draw arrows to show how Horatius separated the Curiatii as they chased him.

Tip

Children often cheer for the clever trick. It is fine to admire the cleverness and still say plainly that killing his sister was a terrible wrong.

Answers to the book's problems

Choosing champions meant only a few men would die instead of many. Horatius ran on purpose: the wounded Curiatii chased him at different speeds, so he could fight them one at a time. About the sister: the Romans themselves were torn; they honored him as a hero but still made him do penance for the crime.

Worked out for this site from the scan. If a number in your copy differs, trust the book.

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