Tarquinius Superbus

Tarquinius Superbus
Published by Guillaume Rouille (1518?-1589) · Public domain · source
Name	Tarquinius Superbus
Title	King of Rome
Reign	534–509 BC
Predecessor	Servius Tullius
Successor	Lucius Junius Brutus
Spouse	Tullia Major
Issue	Arruns Tarquinius, Tarquinia

Tarquinius Superbus was the seventh and final king of Rome, ruling from 534 to 509 BC, and is known for his tyrannical reign, marked by the suppression of the Roman Senate and the Roman people. He was the son of Lucius Tarquinius Priscus and Tanaquil, and his wife was Tullia Major, daughter of Servius Tullius. Tarquinius Superbus was also the father of Arruns Tarquinius and Tarquinia, who married Octavius Mamilius of Tusculum. His reign was marked by conflicts with the Etruscan cities, including Veii and Tarquinia, as well as the Latin League.

● Early Life and Reign

Tarquinius Superbus was born into a wealthy and influential family, with his father Lucius Tarquinius Priscus being a king of Rome and his mother Tanaquil being a member of the Etruscan aristocracy. He married Tullia Major, daughter of Servius Tullius, who was a king of Rome and a member of the Roman Senate. Tarquinius Superbus's early life was marked by his involvement in the politics of Rome, where he was influenced by his father's Etruscan connections and his mother's aristocratic background. He was also influenced by his wife's family, including her father Servius Tullius and her uncle Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus. His reign was marked by the construction of several notable buildings, including the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus and the Circus Maximus, which were built with the help of Etruscan architects and Roman engineers.

● Background and Ascension

The background of Tarquinius Superbus's ascension to the throne is marked by the assassination of his father-in-law, Servius Tullius, who was killed by his daughter Tullia Minor and her husband Lucius Tarquinius Superbus. This event was followed by the Senate's decision to appoint Tarquinius Superbus as the new king of Rome, despite his Etruscan origins and his lack of experience in Roman politics. His ascension to the throne was also influenced by his connections to the Etruscan cities, including Tarquinia and Veii, as well as his relationships with other Roman kings, including Lucius Tarquinius Priscus and Numa Pompilius. Tarquinius Superbus's rise to power was also facilitated by his marriage to Tullia Major, which gave him a strong connection to the Roman aristocracy and the Roman Senate.

● Policies and Conflicts

Tarquinius Superbus's policies were marked by his attempts to consolidate power and suppress the Roman Senate and the Roman people. He was known for his tyrannical reign, during which he ignored the Roman Senate and ruled through his own dictatorial powers. His conflicts with the Etruscan cities, including Veii and Tarquinia, were marked by several battles, including the Battle of Silva Arsia and the Siege of Ardea. He also clashed with the Latin League, which was a confederation of Latin cities, including Tusculum and Aricia. Tarquinius Superbus's policies were also influenced by his relationships with other Roman kings, including Lucius Tarquinius Priscus and Servius Tullius, as well as his connections to the Etruscan aristocracy and the Roman aristocracy.

● Downfall and Exile

The downfall of Tarquinius Superbus was marked by the expulsion of the Tarquin dynasty from Rome and the establishment of the Roman Republic. This event was triggered by the Rape of Lucretia, which was committed by Sextus Tarquinius, the son of Tarquinius Superbus. The Roman people were outraged by this event, and they rose up against the Tarquin dynasty, led by Lucius Junius Brutus and Collatinus. Tarquinius Superbus was forced to flee Rome and seek refuge in the Etruscan city of Cumae, where he was protected by the Etruscan king Aristodemus of Cumae. He later attempted to regain the throne, but was defeated at the Battle of Silva Arsia and forced to flee to the Greek city of Tusculum, where he died in exile.

● Legacy and Impact

The legacy of Tarquinius Superbus is marked by his role in the establishment of the Roman Republic and the expulsion of the Tarquin dynasty from Rome. He is remembered as a tyrannical king who suppressed the Roman Senate and the Roman people, and his reign is seen as a period of transition from the Roman Kingdom to the Roman Republic. His impact on Roman history is significant, as he played a key role in the development of the Roman Republic and the establishment of the Roman Senate as a powerful institution. Tarquinius Superbus's legacy is also marked by his connections to the Etruscan cities, including Tarquinia and Veii, as well as his relationships with other Roman kings, including Lucius Tarquinius Priscus and Servius Tullius. His story has been told and retold by several Roman historians, including Livy and Dionysius of Halicarnassus, and continues to be studied by historians and scholars today, including those at the University of Rome and the British Museum.