Tullus Hostillius is the third legendary king of Rome. He preceded Ancus Marcius.

More quarrelsome still than Romulus, Tullus , of Roman origin (according to Tite-Live I-22), it is the grandson of Hostilius, Roman hero of the first war against Sabins), succeeds Sabin Numa but does not resemble to him.

Its reign is marked by the fight of Alba-the-Long Rome against , its metropolis, which will become its vassal (episode of Horaces and Curiaces). At the end of the reign of Tullus, rebellious Alba is shaven and its inhabitants off-set in Rome. It also beats the Véiens and the Fidénates, and increases the city by the incorporation of the mount Célius.

Tullus being scrambled with the gods, following an inaccuracy in the ritual of sacrifice, Jupiter throws the lightning on its house. With his death and according to the tradition, one names initially a Interroi, then the people elect Ancus Marcius (-640), grandson of the king Numa Pompilius by his mother according to Tite-Live (grandson of Numa Marcius, first pontiff designated by Numa).

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Eutrope: Shortened Roman History (translation of Maurice Rat):

“IV. - Its sucessor was Tullus Hostilius. This prince took again the wars, overcame Albains, fixed at twelve miles of the town of Rome, and beat Veiens and Fidénates, benches the ones with six miles, the others with eighteen miles. He increases the city by adding the Célius mount to it. After a thirty-two years reign, it was struck the lightning and was consumed with its palate. ”