Lucius Tarquinius Superbus (also called Tarquin the Great or Tarquin II for short) was king of Rome, son of
Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, and son-in-law of Servius Tullius He immediately succeeded the latter without any election and proceeded at once to repeal the recent reforms in the constitution, seeking to establish a pure despotism in their place. Wars were waged with the Latins and Etruscans, but the lower classes were deprived of their arms, and employed in erecting monuments of regal magnificence, while the sovereign
recruited his armies from his own
retainers and from the forces of foreign
allies.
The completion of the fortress
temple to Jupiter on the Capitoline Hill confirmed his authority over the city, and a fortunate
marriage of his son to the daughter of
Octavus Manilius of Tusculum secured him
powerful assistance in the field. His
reign was characterised by bloodshed and
violence; the outrage of his son Sextus Tarquinius
upon Lucretia precipitated a revolt,
which led to the expulsion of the entire
family, after Tarquin had reigned
twenty-five years. All efforts to force
his way back to the throne were in vain,
and he died a lonely and childless old
man at Cumae in Etruria.
See also: Kings of Rome, Roman Republic
Original text from a paper copy of the 9th edition EB
