| Lucius Tarquinius Superbus |
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| 496 bc deaths | |
| kings of rome | |
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REIGN When king Tarquin was approached by the Cumaean Sibyl , she offered him nine books of Prophecy at an exorbitant price. Tarquin refused abruptly, and the Sibyl proceeded to burn three of the nine. She then offered him the remaining books, but at the same price. Tarquin hesitated, but refused again. The Sibyl then burned three more books and again offered Tarquin the three remaining Sibylline Books at the original price. At last Tarquin accepted. The books were consulted at many portentous moments in Roman history. For example, when Hannibal decimated the Roman Legion s at Cannae , the books were consulted and recommended that two Gaul s and two Greeks be buried alive in the city's marketplace. The magistrates duly followed the advice showing that nothing was too barbarous for defending the liberty of Rome. Tarquin's authority over the city was confirmed by three actions: #his leveling of the top of the Tarpeian Rock that overlooked the Forum and the removal of its ancient Sabine shrines #the completion of the fortress temple to Jupiter on the nearby Capitoline Hill #the fortunate marriage of his son to the daughter of Octavius Mamilius of Tusculum , an alliance that secured him powerful assistance in the field DEPOSITION Tarquin's reign was characterised by bloodshed and violence; his son Sextus Tarquinius 's Rape of Lucretia precipitated a revolt, led by Lucretia's kinsman Lucius Junius Brutus (himself a member of the Tarquin dynasty) and Lucretia's widowed husband. The uprising resulted in the expulsion of most of the royal family, after Tarquin had reigned for twenty-five years, and Brutus became one of the first Consul s of the Roman Republic . After his exile, Tarquin attempted to gain the support of other Etruscan and Latin kings, claiming that the republicanism would spread beyond Rome. His family was of Etruscan origin. Even though the powerful Etruscan lord Lars Porsenna of Clusium (modern Chiusi ) backed Tarquin's return, all efforts to force his way back to the throne were in vain. Tarquin died in exile at Cumae in Campania in 496 BC. REFERENCES External Link: http://www.crystalinks.com/superbus.html |
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