Lucius Tarquinius is proud. Tarquin the proud King of Tarquin

In previous studies, we talked about the gradual transformation of Republican Rome into an empire that first subjugated the lands of Italy, and then extended influence throughout the Mediterranean. The time has come to remember the formation of Rome and the most ancient period of its state history.

The period from 753 BC is called the Ancient Roman Kingdom. - the date accepted as the founding of Rome - until the overthrow of the last king Tarquin the Proud and the establishment of the republic in 509 BC, also called the “era of the seven kings”. In the history of many states there is a so-called “mythological period”, about which too little is known due to the antiquity of the events retold many centuries later. We can judge the era of the seven kings only from sources created during the years of the Roman Republic and even a much later empire. However, just as it is impossible to imagine ancient Hellas without the heroic epic of Homer, which tells us about ancient times, the royal period of Ancient Rome is an integral part of its history: an unexpected change in the socio-political structure from a monarchy to a republic became a sacred legend that unites the people of Rome all subsequent years. centuries.

How it all began

The Apennine Peninsula, located in the very center of the Mediterranean Sea, has attracted people for centuries with its convenient location and mild climate. According to Greek legends, the famous Hercules visited the Italian lands, and historians talk about the Mycenaean colonization of the peninsula back in the 13th century BC. It is believed that the first state on the peninsula was founded by the Etruscan civilization, which actively adopted the culture of its neighbors - the Greeks and Phoenicians. In the end, the Italic tribes, including the Latins, took a dominant position in the region.

According to Roman mythology, after the events of the famous Trojan War, ships of the fleeing Trojans led by the hero Aeneas landed on the Apennine coast. This is where one of the legends about the founding of Rome originates - the Trojans, tired of long wanderings, settled in the Italian lands next to the Latins, and one of the local kings even married his daughter to Aeneas. As a result of such a profitable marriage, Aeneas becomes the next king of the Latins, as well as the new settlers. His son Ascanius-Yul moved the capital of the united state to the new city of Alba Longa (the ruins of which can still be seen southeast of Rome) and rallied the Latin Union around it.

Mars and Rhea Silvia. Artist Peter Paul Rubens, c. 1616

In those distant times, war was the most common thing, almost everyday, especially the war for the throne. It is not at all surprising that the fourteenth king of Alba Longa, Numitor, was overthrown by his younger brother Amulius. The newly-made ruler, wanting to secure his power, killed his nephew, and made his niece Rhea Sylvia a priestess of the goddess Vesta. From a political point of view, this was a very wise move, since the Vestals, on the one hand, enjoyed great respect and enjoyed immunity, and on the other hand, they were obliged to maintain virgin purity for thirty years. Violation of the vow of chastity was punished very severely, including burial alive.

Further, in full accordance with the traditions of ancient myths, the god Mars visited young Sylvia, a violent passion flared up between them, and after the due date, twins were born to the Vestal Virgin - Romulus and Remus. In general, there is nothing unusual in this story, since the gods of Olympus descended to Earth many times and entered into relations with mortal women. But in this case, it should be remembered that the very fact of a vestal’s pregnancy was a terrible scandal for ancient society, and divine paternity still had to be proven: you wouldn’t personally invite Mars to the priestly court to testify?!

However, there was a more significant complication. As we remember, Rhea Silvia became a vestal not of her own free will, but on the orders of her usurper uncle, so as not to leave offspring that could one day overthrow the king. The enraged Amulius ordered the twins to be thrown into the Tiber, hoping to thus put an end to potential contenders for the throne. The subsequent development of this story may be known to the respected reader from the time of the school curriculum: the twins survived, were fed by a she-wolf and raised by the shepherd Fastul. When the brothers grew up, they got even with Amulius and returned the throne of Alba Longa to their grandfather Numitor. The old king sent them to found a new colony; as a result of a dispute about the most suitable place for settlement, Romulus killed Remus on the Palatine Hill, built the city of Rome there and became its first king.

As usually happens when new colonies are founded (remember the history of the Europeans’ exploration of America!), initially the population of Rome consisted of criminals and exiles from neighboring Italian and Greek states. Indeed, why would a person who has a profitable farm on the shores of a warm sea leave his great-grandfather’s farm and go in search of happiness in a newly built city? As we have already said, war in those days was the most commonplace thing, and therefore the diverse and marginal inhabitants of young Rome began to actively expand their sphere of influence at the expense of their neighbors: the Sabines, Latins and Etruscans. Even the former metropolis of Alba Longa was captured and destroyed by the young state.

Rome adopted a lot from its neighbors, including the tradition of royal power. However, in Rome, the powers of the monarch were initially limited, the throne was not initially inherited, and the king was elected. This semi-republican way of life subsequently led to endless intrigues, conspiracies and quarrels, which ultimately influenced the emergence of the Roman Republic.

Romulus

Romulus, grandson of Numitor, king of Alba Longa, son of the Vestal Virgin Silvia and the god Mars himself, suckled by a she-wolf and killing his own brother - a rich pedigree and dubious biography, which, however, did not prevent Romulus from becoming not only the founder of the great Rome, but also its most famous king. According to Roman legends, he reigned from 753 to 716. BC. During the time of Romulus, some Etruscans and Sabines joined Rome; It is believed that it was he who created the Senate of “one hundred fathers” and divided the population of Rome into three main parts - tribes headed by elected tribunes: Latins, Sabines and Etruscans. Each of the tribes, in turn, was divided into ten more curiae, and the curiae elected the most worthy and fearless men to government positions.

Romulus, the conqueror of Acron, brings rich gifts to the temple of Jupiter. Artist Jean Auguste Ingres, 1812 Akron was the ruler of the Sabines during the war due to the Sabine women kidnapped by the Romans

Noble Romans, renowned for their valor and wealth, were called “fathers” (and their descendants – “patricians”), unknown and poor ones – plebeians. Patricians occupied political, priestly and judicial positions, while the plebeians were left with agriculture and crafts. This social stratification remained for many centuries, although during the late Republic the boundaries between classes became more of a formality.

There are several legends about the death of Romulus, up to his divine ascension to Olympus. However, ancient historians are much more prosaic. Let us give the floor to Plutarch:

“For thirty-seven years Romulus ruled the Rome he founded. On the fifth of July, on the day that is now called the Capratine Nones, Romulus made a sacrifice outside the city, on the Goat Marsh, for the entire people in the presence of the Senate and most of the citizens. Suddenly a great change occurred in the air: a cloud descended to the ground, accompanied by a whirlwind and a storm. The rest of the people began to flee in fear and scattered in different directions, but Romulus disappeared. He was found neither alive nor dead. Strong suspicion fell on the patricians. The people said that they had long been burdened by the royal power and, wanting to take control of the state into their own hands, they killed the king, since for some time he began to treat them more harshly and despotic. The patricians tried to dispel this kind of suspicion by classifying Romulus as a god and saying that he “did not die, but was awarded a better fate.” Proculus, a highly respected person, swore that he saw Romulus ascend into heaven in full armor, and heard his voice commanding him to be called Quirinus.”

Plutarch does not say anything directly, making do with hints, which, however, are quite clear - the highest aristocracy was dissatisfied with Romulus, and, most likely, the son of Mars became a victim of a conspiracy. The beautiful legend about sending Romulus directly to Olympus probably appeared later to divert suspicion from the patricians.

Numa Pompilius

The second king of the Ancient Roman state, chosen by the patricians for his wisdom and piety, reigned from 715 to 673. BC. Numa Pompilius was born in the year of the founding of Rome into a Sabine family, and was married to the daughter of the Sabine king. According to legend (however, almost all the events described can be considered a myth with a very small historical component), after the death of his wife in the Alban Mountains, he met the nymph Egeria, who taught him lawmaking. Subsequently, his daughter Pompilia gave birth to the future king Ancus Marcius.

Scheme of settlement of the Italic tribes in the era of the seven kings

The successes of the second Roman king are difficult to overestimate: it was he who “restored order” to the young state, trying to accustom the Romans not only to constant battles, but also to a peaceful life. Under Numa Pompilius, a description of all lands belonging to Rome was created, craft workshops and a 355-day calendar were established. He also banned human sacrifice (which the Romans still resorted to in difficult times, for example during the Second Punic War), and during his reign Rome did not conduct any campaigns of conquest at all. Numa Pompilius died at the age of 80, was cremated, and his ashes were buried on Janiculum Hill.

Tullus Hostilius

The third king of Rome, Tullus Hostilius, chosen by the patricians, like his predecessor, reigned from 673 to 641. BC. Before his election, Tullus was engaged in agriculture, but with his accession to the throne, ambition and, perhaps, the “call of blood” awoke in him, since he was the grandson of the bravest Roman warrior Hostius Hostilius. As a result of the war with his neighbors, Tullus Hostilius was able to finally conquer Alba Longa and defeat the Sabines, expanding the territory of Rome and doubling its population. Subsequently, Alba Longa was destroyed to the ground. However, if the destruction of Alba Longa is recognized as a historically reliable fact, then the death of Tullus Hostilius is mythologized: carried away by wars and forgetting about serving the gods, he angered Jupiter and was killed by lightning.

Ankh Marcius

The fourth king, Ancus Marcius, reigned 640–616. BC, was the grandson of Numa Pompilius. In his wisdom and love of peace, he was in many ways like his grandfather; during his reign he patronized crafts, trade and agriculture, but, unlike his grandfather, he had to get involved in a war with his neighbors. The tribes of Latins, Sabines, Etruscans and Volscians who rebelled against Rome were defeated in the battle of Medullia, Marcius' army captured the cities of Politorium, Tellen and Ficana.

Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, or Tarquin the Ancient

Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, better known as Tarquin the Ancient, the fifth king of Ancient Rome, reigned from 616 to 579. BC. He was Greek by origin, his homeland was the Etruscan city of Tarquinia. He later moved to Rome and, thanks to his wealth and wisdom, became one of the most influential people in the city. King Ankh Marcius appointed him commander of the cavalry and made him his confidant. After the death of the king, Tarquin was able to convince the people of Rome that he should take the throne. Under the new king, Rome continued wars with its neighbors and soon became the center of the Latin Union. Tarquin also patronized the development of art, expanded the Senate to include representatives of poor families, paved the Forum, built the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus, now better known as simply the Capitol, and installed the first Roman sewer system.

Servius Tullius

However, the sons of Ancus Marcius harbored a grudge against the chosen king since childhood, because they believed that the throne should have gone to them. Following the example of Romulus and Remus, who overthrew the illegal king, they jointly killed Tarquin, causing indignation among both the aristocracy and the plebeians. The sons of Marcius were expelled from Rome, and the throne was taken by the adopted son of the murdered king, Servius Tullius, who became the sixth king of Rome, reigning from 578–535. BC. Servius was born in Corniculum, destroyed by the Roman troops of Tarquin the Ancient, his father died in battle, and his mother was captured by the invaders and became the close wife of the Roman king. Servius was a slave in the royal house, but received a good Greek education, participated in the military campaigns of Rome, and Tarquin gave his second daughter to him. Here it must be noted that in such ancient times the institution of slavery looked completely different than under the late Roman Republic or Empire - personal dependence was not something shameful, slaves were more likely junior members of the family, and not “talking instruments.”

Etruscan warriors. Modern illustration

The new ruler celebrated the beginning of his reign with another victory over the Etruscans and the construction of the Temple of Diana on the Aventine Hill. The city became so strong that its neighbors were in no hurry to fight Rome, and the new king had enough time to carry out reforms. Servius Tullius introduced representatives of the plebeians into the Roman community, divided the population into five classes according to property qualifications and replaced the clan tribes with territorial ones: four urban and seventeen rural. The new king redeemed the poor from slavery and in every possible way contributed to the growth of the welfare of the people of Rome, for which he was especially revered by the plebeians, but was disliked by the patricians and the Senate.

Lucius Tarquinius

The seventh and last king of Rome, Lucius Tarquinius, nicknamed “The Proud One,” was the son of King Tarquinius the Ancient. When his father was killed, he was still a baby. Servius Tullius, in order not to repeat the fate of his predecessor, tried in every possible way to win over Lucius and his brother Arun and gave his daughters as descendants of Tarquinius. However, Lucius, in collusion with the Senate, first killed his brother and his wife, and then dealt with Servius, declaring himself king of Rome.

He began his reign with repressions against the supporters of Servius. The Senate was reduced by half, many patricians were expelled as a result of intrigues and denunciations, and the new king was in no hurry to gather the remaining members of the council, preferring to resolve all issues independently or with the help of his entourage.

In the sphere of foreign policy, Tarquin the Proud made a lot of mistakes, preferring the stick method and completely forgetting about carrots - the Latin cities remained in the sphere of influence of Rome, but the suppression of any attempts by the Sabines and Etruscans to show minimal independence led to an increase in discontent. Cruel rule, unwillingness to reckon with the Senate and aristocratic families, abuse of power and outright tyranny turned all layers of society against Tarquin. The last straw that overflowed the cup of patience of the Romans was that the youngest son of the king, Tarquinius Sextus, was inflamed with passion for Lucretia, the wife of the patrician Tarquinius Collatinus and the daughter of the consul Spurius Lucretius Tricipitinus, and, threatening, committed violence against her. Lucretia told her husband about this and stabbed herself. Lucretia's relatives, Lucius Junius Brutus and Publius Valerius Publicola, carried her body to the Forum and convinced the citizens to expel the cruel king.

Lucretia and Tarquinius. Artist Peter Paul Rubens, c. 1609–1611

Tarquinius the Proud and his sons were expelled from Rome, and they had to flee to Etruria. The exiled king enlisted the support of the Latins and rebelled against Rome, but lost in the Battle of Lake Regil in 496, where all his sons died. Tarquin himself took refuge in Greek lands, where he died in obscurity a year later.

A republic was established in Rome, which in its early stages brought unprecedented prosperity to the state and formally existed from 509 to 27 BC. It is curious that the two consuls, elected for a year, had truly royal powers, but the term of their reign was strictly limited, and an article was added to Roman laws stating that any person who wished to become king of Rome must be killed without trial...

Known for his tyranny. He was expelled from Rome.

lat. Lucius Tarquinius Superbus

	7th King of Ancient Rome
- 509 BC e.

Predecessor

Servius Tullius

Successor

Monarchy abolished

Birth

6th century BC e.

Rome

Death

495 BC e.(-495 )
Kumas

Father

Tarquinius Priscus

Mother

Tanaquil

Spouse

1. Tullia the Elder
2. Tullia the Younger

Children

Titus Tarquinius
Arruntus Tarquinius
Sextus Tarquinius
Tarquinia (wife Mamilia)

Media files on Wikimedia Commons

Origin

The father of Tarquin the Proud was the fifth king of Rome: Tarquinius Priscus. After his assassination in BC. e. sons of Ancus Marcius, the favorite of Tanaquil (wife of Tarquinius Priscus) - Servius Tulius - took power into his own hands. The sons of Tarquinius Priscus - Lucius and Arun - were still babies at that time. In order to prevent his possible overthrow by the sons of the predecessor king, Servius Tullius tried to bind them to himself. The king decided to give them his daughters as wives: the meek and affectionate one for the proud Lucius, and the ambitious younger one for the indecisive Arun. However, the younger Tullia, against her father's will, married Lucius Tarquinius. They plotted and killed Arun and the elder Tullia.

Tarquinius the Proud is credited with purchasing part of the collection of prophecies of the Cumaean Sibyl, who herself appeared to the king and offered him to purchase 9 bundles at a huge price. The king at that time was busy building the temple of Jupiter and refused. After some time, the Sibyl appeared again and offered to buy at the same price not 9 packages, but 6. She burned the rest of the packages. Tarquin the Proud refused this time too. When the Sibyl, at the same price, offered Tarquin to buy only three packages predicting the fate of Rome, threatening to burn them too, the king nevertheless agreed. The prophecies of the Sibyl were instructed to be kept in the dungeon of the Capitol, and to be consulted only on emergency occasions. For example, the scrolls were consulted after the Roman defeat at the Battle of Cannae. Then the prophecy advised to bury two Gauls and two Greeks alive in the market square. The magistrates followed this advice, demonstrating that they could get away with any barbarity if it came to protecting the independence of Rome.

Conquest policy

Lucius Tarquin the Proud pursued an active aggressive foreign policy. He strengthened the alliance between Rome and the Latin cities by physically eliminating those who considered Rome the enslaver of Latium, and by creating kinship alliances. So, he married his daughter to Octavius Mamilius, king of Tusculum. Under Tarquinius Proud, Roman troops first invaded the Volscian region - the cities of Suessa-Pompecia and Anxur were conquered. The Sabines and Etruscans were suppressed.

September 22, 2018

Tarquinius the Proud, son of Lucius Tarquinius the Ancient, ascended the throne as a result of betrayal caused by his own envy and the incitement of his wife Tullia the Younger, after the unceremonious murder of his predecessor, and, moreover, father-in-law, Servius Tullius. The tyrant was in power from 534 to 509. BC. and became the last ancient Roman king in the history of the Eternal City.

His reign began with repression, continued with tyranny, and ended with the exile of Tarquin the Proud and his unknown death. Under him, the Senate met less and less often, and emerging state problems were resolved by Lucius’s associates, as a rule, in their favor. The nickname “Proud” in relation to a tyrant was associated rather with the concepts of “pride” and “arrogance” rather than with dignity.

Expulsion of Tarquin from Rome

The previous ancient Roman tried to get rid of the hatred of the sons of the fifth king Tarquinius Priscus, since they considered Tullius an upstart and an impostor. He decided to protect himself quite simply by marrying his daughters to the young man. But one of them turned out to be too ambitious in the bad sense of the word. In her ambitions, she became friends with her sister’s husband, after which they decided to get rid of their “halves.” After killing both, the pair came together to continue their criminal activities on the way to power. As a result, Tarquinius the Proud had a hand in the murder of Servius, who at that time was already in old age, and his wife Tullia the Younger rode a chariot over her dying father.

Murder of Servius Tullius

The seventh ancient Roman king waged wars of conquest and robbery, which replenished the budget of Rome, which helped to complete the construction of the Capitoline Temple and the city sewer system - the Great Cloaca. But the cruel acts of Tarquin the Proud, as well as the abuses and adulteries of his sons, caused discontent among the Romans. The last straw of patience was the abuse by one of the royal offspring of the married, virtuous Lucretia, who could not stand the shame and killed herself in front of her relatives.

Death of Lucretia

Subsequent events led to a rebellion and the expulsion of the ancient Roman king from the city. Lucius tried to regain power by force, attracting the Etruscans and Latins to his side, but this entire joint army was defeated by the Romans, after which the unfortunate king fled away from the city, where he soon died.

The names of the previous six ancient Roman kings, which can be read about by following the links:

According to one legend, the angry Romans threw the tyrant into the Tiber, where a

Lucius Tarquinius, having received royal power at the cost of a crime, surrounded himself with a whole detachment of bodyguards, realizing that he himself had set an example of how one could take the royal throne. In addition, he exterminated those senators whom he considered supporters of Servius Tullius, whom he killed, since he seized royal power without being elected by either the senators or the popular assembly. Realizing that after everything that had happened, aggravated by the fact that he forbade the old king to be buried with honor, Lucius could hardly count on the respect of his fellow citizens, he decided to keep his subjects in obedience through fear. Lucius Tarquinius, contrary to the laws, held court and sentenced citizens to execution and exile, deprived of life, property and fatherland of all those who were displeasing or suspicious to him. Regardless of the advice of senators, he declared and ended hostilities, arbitrarily concluded treaties and violated them. Tarquin treated everyone without exception arrogantly, disregarding neither the merits nor the dignity of his fellow citizens. He did not take into account the will of the Senate and the people and sought support not in Rome, but beyond its borders, counting on the help of the nobility of neighboring tribes against his own fatherland. He even married his daughter to a rich and noble Tusculan, seeking an alliance with his powerful relatives. But unable to control his bad temper, Tarquinius humiliated his allies at every opportunity. His cunning surpassed his exorbitant pride, for which Lucius Tarquin received his nickname of the Proud. It cost him nothing to set up a vile trap and execute an innocent man who had the audacity to reproach the Roman king for disrespect for the leaders who had gathered at his own command, as was the case with Turnus of Aricia. Tarquin accused him of plotting against the king and attempted murder by bribing a slave who planted a large number of swords in Turnus’s chamber, allegedly belonging to the conspirators.

Having thus dealt with Turnus of Aricia, Tarquin the Proud intimidated the remaining leaders, and they were forced to agree to the renewal of a long treaty with Rome. And although, as they said, he was not such a bad military leader as an unjust ruler, and successfully fought several wars with neighboring cities and even took large booty, defeating the Volscian tribe, his military plans were also based on cunning and deceit.

Such was his war with the strong and rich city of Gabii, which the Roman soldiers could not take. His youngest son Sextus Tarquin fled there, pretending to be fleeing the unbearable cruelty of his father, who supposedly wanted to restore order in his own house by destroying sons displeasing the king. The inhabitants of Gabii believed the complaints of Sextus Tarquinius, especially since he, winning the favor of the citizens, respectfully listened to the elders, took part in general meetings and insisted on continuing the war with Rome and with his own “tyrant father”. Through skillful military forays and generously distributed booty, Sextus Tarquin won the admiration and confidence of his new allies and became no less powerful in Gabii than his father in Rome. Having not received orders from Tarquin the Proud regarding further actions, Sextus began to do exactly the same as his father. Through intrigue and bribery, he achieved the expulsion, ruin and extermination of the most noble citizens, skillfully inciting the people against them and sowing discord everywhere. He attracted the poor to his side with generous gifts from the property of those executed or exiled. With all these actions, Sextus completely dulled the anticipation of the general misfortune that threatened the city, and bled those who could resist. As a result of Sextus' dishonest and treacherous game, Gabii fell under the authority of the Roman king without resistance.

Tarquinius the Proud, wanting to further exalt Rome among other cities subject to him, began building a temple to Jupiter on the Capitoline Hill. Famous craftsmen from Etruria, invited by the king, took part in its construction, and the famous Etruscan sculptor Vulca created the statues that decorated the temple. In a hurry with the construction of the temple, which, according to the king’s plan, was supposed to perpetuate not only the glory of the supreme deity of the Romans, but also become the embodiment of the power of Tarquin the Proud himself, he forced the common people to engage in construction work. In addition to the temple, lodges for the nobility were built around the circus, and a huge pipe was built underground to contain all the city's sewage. However, all this hectic activity could not drown out the bad forebodings in the king’s heart, which always torment people with a bad conscience. And when a snake crawled out of a wooden column in his own palace, the king, not trusting the explanations of the Etruscan soothsayers, decided to get an interpretation of this terrible sign from the Delphic oracle.

For this purpose, he sent his two sons and nephew Lucius Junius, nicknamed Brutus (stupid) for his slowness and weakness of mind, to Delphi. Lucius Junius willingly accepted this nickname, because, considering him narrow-minded and widely using his property (the father and elder brother of Lucius Junius were executed by the treacherous king), Tarquinius treated Brutus with disdain, not suspecting that this young man harbored great plans for the liberation of the fatherland in his soul . Arriving at

Delphi, the royal sons presented precious gifts to the god Apollo. Brutus, having amused them with his offering, donated to God his traveling stick, made of horn. But inside the stick was hollowed out and a gold core was inserted into it. In this way, Brutus wanted to show that under his nondescript shell he had a beautiful and proud soul. Having fulfilled the order, the young men wanted to know their future. And the mysterious voice of the Pythia from the depths of the crevice said that the one of them who would be the first to kiss his mother would receive supreme power in Rome. The king's sons took this prophecy literally and postponed his decision until they returned home, although they agreed not to inform their younger brother Sextus about this. But Brutus interpreted the Pythia’s words differently and, pretending to stumble, fell and touched the ground (this common mother of all people) with his lips.

Returning from Delphi, the sons found Tarquin the Proud in the midst of preparations for a war with the Rutulov tribe over the rich city of Ardea. It was not possible to take it on the raid, and the Roman troops besieged the city. Having gathered for a feast in the tent of Sextus Tarquinius, the young warriors, among other conversations and jokes, began to praise the high virtues and hard work of their wives. Fueled by wine, the debaters jumped on their horses and rushed to Rome to see for themselves what truly virtuous Roman wives were doing in their absence. And they were convinced that they were all either having fun chatting with their friends, or were at a feast with the royal daughters-in-law. Only Lucretia, the beautiful and modest wife of Collatinus, who participated in the dispute, sat late at night with her maids, spinning yarn. She warmly received the unexpected guests, and in the heart of Sextus Tarquinius, captivated by her beauty, a low plan arose.

Without the knowledge of Lucretia's husband, Sextus went again to Collatinus' house a few days later. Unsuspecting Lucrezia, having shown hospitality, ordered the servants to take him to the guest bedroom at nightfall. Making sure that everyone in the house was asleep, Sextus with a drawn sword crept into Lucretia’s chambers and, waking up the frightened woman, tried to persuade her to commit adultery. But neither threats nor pleas could shake her virtue, and only when Sextus swore that, having killed her, he would place a strangled slave on her bed and the very memory of her would be dishonored in the eyes of her loved ones, the unfortunate woman succumbed to violence. Sextus left, triumphant, and Lucretia, in complete despair, sent a messenger to her father and husband in the camp, reporting a grave misfortune that had happened to her, which she could only report on a meeting. Collatinus arrived with Lucius Junius Brutus, whom he met on the way. Lucrezia was waiting for them in the bedroom on the desecrated marital bed and, having told everything that had happened, began to beg for revenge on the scoundrel who had disgraced her immaculate name. They silently listened to the unfortunate woman, choking from suppressed sobs. Not listening to consolations, she said: “I do not admit my guilt, but I do not exempt myself from execution.” With a firm hand, Lucrezia plunged the dagger that was hidden in her clothes into her chest and leaned on it so that it would go deeper into her heart. Shocked by what had happened, her father and husband stood silently at Lucretia’s bedside. And Brutus, taking a dagger stained with blood from the breast of a young, beautiful and noble woman, swore that he would pursue King Tarquin with his criminal wife and all his descendants and would not allow them or anyone else to reign in Rome. He demanded the same oath from those around him, amazed that Brutus, under external dementia, hid such strength of spirit and nobility.

Having carried the body of the unfortunate victim of royal tyranny to the Collatia Forum, they prompted the inhabitants of the city to go to Rome to put an end to the atrocities and violence. Brutus here again called on the people to take up arms in order to repay all insults, for almost everyone was insulted or humiliated by Tarquinius and his sons. A crowd of armed inhabitants of Collatia, led by Brutus, entered Rome and called to their side the people who had gathered in the forum. Brutus, shaking his dagger, on which Lucretia’s blood was still fresh, accused both the king, his sons, and his wife of being criminals. He recalled the atrocity committed by Tarquinius, who killed the elderly Servius Tullius in front of everyone, the monstrous sacrilege of his wife, who trampled the body of her own father with horses, all the injustices caused by the king, the heavy duties with which he crushed the poor.

The just anger of Brutus and his formidable eloquence aroused such strong indignation among the people that it was immediately decided to deprive Tarquin the Proud of power and expel him from the city with his wife and children. In vain did Queen Tullia rush around the city in confusion. Everyone who saw her sent curses to her and called upon the furies - avengers for their murdered parents.

Brutus, having gathered a squad of warriors, moved to the king’s camp near Ardea in order to rebel the army of Tarquinius, who were besieging the city. Tarquin rushed to Rome, wanting, with his characteristic determination, to brutally suppress the indignation. Brutus deliberately took a different route to avoid the king. To Tarquin's fury, the gates of Rome were closed to him. They announced to him that the king and his family were henceforth expelled from Rome. Shocked by the surprise, Tarquin the Proud was forced to seek refuge in Etruria with his two sons. The younger one, Sextus Tarquinius, had the audacity to return to the very city of Gabii, which he had so basely betrayed in his time. There he was killed in revenge for the crimes he had committed. Thus the royal power was destroyed in Rome.

At the head of the Roman state, two consuls were appointed, elected by the general popular assembly for a period of one year. The first consuls of the Roman Republic were Lucius Junius Brutus and Lucius Tarvinius Collatinus. They conducted the affairs of the state in turns, replacing one another every month. Brutus, well aware of the insidious nature of Tarquin the Proud, had no doubt that the exile would try to win at least part of the Romans to his side through bribery and intrigue. Therefore, wanting to protect freedom from encroachments on it with the same zeal with which he sought this freedom, Brutus demanded from the Senate and all the people a solemn oath that they would never allow anyone to reign in Rome. And indeed, Brutus managed to instill such disgust for the royal power in the Romans that the people took a solemn oath never to restore it. He demanded the expulsion from the city of everyone who, at least along any line, belonged to the Tarquin family. Therefore, Brutus’s consular comrade Lucius Tarquinius Collatinus, the husband of the noble Lucretia, had to leave Rome.

Contrary to the expectations of the Romans, Tarquin the Proud was in no hurry to declare the warrior his former subjects. But, as Brutus expected, he was widely engaged in bribery and persuasion, especially since among the Roman youth there were a sufficient number of noble henchmen of the sons of Tarquin, who regretted their previous impunity and languished in the strict reins of the stern republican Brutus. This dissatisfaction was exploited by Tarquin's ambassadors, who arrived in Rome and presented the former king's demand for the surrender of his property. While the consuls and the Senate were making a decision, the ambassadors distributed letters from Tarquin to those Romans who listened without objection to their flattering speeches, full of temptations and rich promises. As a result, a whole conspiracy emerged in favor of restoring Tarquin's power in Rome. Only thanks to a happy accident (one of the slaves of the noble Roman Vitellius, whose sister Brutus was married to, suspected evil and informed the consuls about the betrayal of his master and his accomplices) the conspirators were captured during a meal with the ambassadors of Tarquin. They found letters in which Tarquin was given assurances of his readiness to overthrow the republic in Rome and restore royal power.

To the great horror of Brutus, among the conspirators, in addition to his wife’s brother, were both his sons - Titus and Tiberius. Tarquin's ambassadors were expelled, and his property was given to the people for plunder, so that, having received part of the wealth seized by the king, the Roman people would forever lose hope of the possibility of reconciliation with the former king. The traitors were tried and sentenced to death. Among the noble youths tied to the pillory, the sons of Brutus attracted special attention. They, the children of the consul who had just liberated the people, decided to betray their father’s cause, himself and all of Rome into the hands of the vengeful and most unjust of despots! In complete silence, both consuls left, sat down and ordered the lictors to begin carrying out the humiliating and cruel execution. The clothes of the condemned were torn off, they were flogged with rods for a long time, and then their heads were cut off. Consul Publius Valerius looked with compassion at the torment of the condemned young men, but Brutus seemed to have turned into a statue, not a single movement did he betray the feelings that overwhelmed him. Only when the heads of his sons rolled did a slight spasm shake the consul’s motionless face. After the execution was carried out, the slave who uncovered the conspiracy against the Roman Republic was distinguished. He was released and given Roman citizenship and a monetary reward.

When Tarquin the Proud learned that hopes for a conspiracy had collapsed, he decided to gather Etruscan troops and march with them to Rome, promising the soldiers rich booty. As soon as the enemies, led by Tarquin the Proud, entered the Roman possessions, the consuls moved towards them. On both sides, mounted reconnaissance was in front. Brutus, surrounded by lictors, rode in the front ranks of the detachment. Arruns, the son of Tarquin, saw him and cried out, “Gods, avenge the kings!” rushed towards the Roman cavalry. Brutus rushed towards the enemy with youthful fervor. They thrust their spears with such force that they pierced each other's shields and received mortal wounds. Both fell dead from their horses. Victory in the battle between Tarquinius and the Romans was decided by the god Silvanus, who terrified Tarquinius' army. The thunderous voice of God proclaimed from the forest: “One more Etruscan fell in the battle - victory is on the side of the Romans.” The deceased Brutus was honored with a magnificent funeral ceremony. All of Rome mourned this courageous and firm man, who valued the freedom of the fatherland above all else. But even more honorable was the declared year-long mourning, during which Roman women mourned Brutus as a stern avenger for violated female dignity.

Meanwhile, Tarquin found support in the person of the Etruscan Porsenna, king of the city of Clusium, whom he won over to his side with the promise of an alliance with Rome if Tarquin again reigned on the Roman throne. Porsenna entered the Roman borders and occupied the Janiculum hill, which was connected to the other hills by a bridge across the Tiber. The Roman soldiers guarding the bridge, seeing that an enemy avalanche was rushing towards them from the Janiculum hill occupied by the enemy, began to throw down their weapons in confusion and fled. In vain did a warrior named Horace Cocles, who was among them, try to hold back the fleeing. Then he ordered the soldiers to destroy the bridge behind him as quickly as possible so that the enemy could not cross it. He himself was left alone, covering himself with a shield in the face of a numerous enemy, expecting hand-to-hand combat. Behind him, the bridge being destroyed by the Romans was burning, logs and boards were crashing into the waters of the Tiber, and even those two warriors who remained to cover Cocles were forced to retreat. The Etruscans who came close stopped in amazement, looking at the powerful and completely lonely defender of the destroyed bridge. The Roman, looking with a stern gaze at the noble Etruscans, who involuntarily hesitated with the attack, threw insulting words in their faces, calling them royal slaves who, not having their own freedom, are going to take away someone else's. After these daring speeches, a rain of arrows fell on Cocles, piercing the shield of the brave man. Pushing each other, the Etruscan warriors rushed at the brave Roman and, of course, would have overpowered him, but at that time, behind Cocles, the remains of the bridge collapsed into the Tiber with a terrible crash and he himself, calling on the river god Tiberin for help, without removing his armor, rushed into waves of the river and swam to his shore to the joyful cries of his comrades in arms. Horace Cocles was not wounded, although the Etruscan archers showered him with a hail of arrows as he swam across the Tiber. For his incredible courage he was awarded a high award. A statue was erected to him in the square where the Roman elections took place, and, in addition, he was given as much land as he could plow around in a day. All Roman citizens, as a sign of gratitude for their valor, brought Cocles their gifts depending on their wealth.

Having suffered the first failure in the attack on Rome, the Etruscan king Porsenna decided to take it by siege. He set up camp on the banks of the Tiber, and his warriors vigilantly ensured that no supplies were brought to Rome. In addition, crossing the river, individual detachments of Etruscans plundered and ravaged the Roman region at every opportunity. The Romans, in turn, tried to repel the indiscriminate attacks of the Etruscans, but the situation in the city remained difficult. The siege threatened to drag on for a long time. Disease and famine began, and Etruscan troops continued to keep Rome under siege. And then a young man named Gaius Mucius, who came from a noble family, indignant at the fact that, even being, like slaves, subordinate to the kings, the Romans never knew a siege, and they themselves defeated the Etruscans, who now stand under the walls of the city, took a bold the decision to sneak into the camp of King Porsenna and kill him. However, fearing that the Roman guards would not mistake him for a defector, Mucius turned to the senators with his proposal. The senators agreed, and Gaius Mucius, hiding his weapon under his clothes, deftly made his way into the enemy camp. Since he did not know the king by sight, and with questions he was afraid to arouse suspicion, he got mixed up in the dense crowd of warriors and began to look closely at them, trying to determine which of them was Porsenna. By chance, he ended up in the camp during the distribution of salaries to the soldiers. The warriors received rewards from the hands of a man in rich clothes. Another Etruscan in more modest attire sat nearby. Gaius Mucius, mixed up in the crowd, approached the rich man and, drawing his sword, dealt a fatal blow. Captured by the king's bodyguards, he realized with horror that he had killed Porsenna's secretary, while the king himself was nearby and remained unharmed. Appearing before Porsenna, the courageous young man gave his name and added: “As an enemy, I wanted to kill the enemy and am just as ready to die as I was ready to commit murder. But know, king, I am only the first of a long line of Roman youths seeking the same honor. We have declared war on you. Don't be afraid of the army, don't be afraid of the battle. You alone will always see the sword of the next one of us.”

Frightened and angry, Porsenna demanded that the prisoner name those who were going to attempt his life. Mucius remained silent. Then the king ordered a fire to be lit, threatening Mucius with burning alive if he did not name the names of the conspirators. Mucius took a step towards the altar, on which the fire was burning, lit by order of Porsenna for the sacrifice, and calmly lowered his hand into the flame. As if not noticing that his living flesh was burning, causing him inhuman torment, Mucius calmly said, turning to the king, numb with horror: “Here is proof for you, so that you understand how little those who foresee great glory value their body!” Porsenna, having come to his senses, ordered the young man to be immediately pulled away from the altar and ordered him to retire to Rome, repeating in dismay that Mucius had acted even more inhumanely to himself than he had intended to do to him, Porsenna. He let the young man go unpunished, endlessly amazed at his firmness and courage. At parting, Mucius revealed to the king that three hundred of the most valiant Roman youths had set themselves the goal of killing Porsenna. And only because Mucius was convinced that Porsenna knows how to adequately appreciate human valor, he warns the Etruscan king about this.

Alarmed by the words of Mucius, Porsenna, realizing that from that time on his life was under constant threat and was saved only by a happy accident, immediately after Mucius sent an embassy to Rome with a proposal for peace negotiations. Soon the siege was lifted and Porsenna's troops withdrew from Roman soil. For his great valor, Gaius Mucius, nicknamed Scaevola (left-handed), because he burned his right hand, received possession of a field beyond the Tiber, which became known as Mucius Meadows.

During the war with the Etruscans, Roman women also distinguished themselves. The hostages fled from the Porsenna camp under the leadership of the young Roman Clelia, who bravely swam across the Tiber under a hail of enemy arrows. The girls returned to their parents' shelter, but Porsenna demanded through ambassadors that Clelia be handed over to him, angered by her insolence. Then, as they say, he changed his anger to mercy, surprised by the courage of such a young creature who decided on the feat. Nevertheless, the king still insisted that Clelia be returned to the Etruscans. Otherwise, he threatened to violate the peace treaty. True, Porsenna immediately promised that if the Romans fulfilled the agreement, then he, in turn, honoring the girl’s valor, would release her unharmed. And indeed, both sides kept their word: the Romans sent Clelia to Porsenna, and he gave her the right to return to Rome, allowing her to take with her those hostages whom she deemed necessary. Young Clelia made extensive use of her right, taking away all the underage boys and girls, that is, those who were most easily offended and disadvantaged. Clelia was given unprecedented honor in Rome after the renewal of the treaty with Porsenna. A statue was erected to her on the Sacred Street, depicting the young heroine on horseback.

Thus the attempt of Tarquin the Proud and his minions to reign again in Rome ended unsuccessfully. The people kept their oath, proclaiming the first consul of the Roman Republic, Brutus, a hero. The very word “king” became hateful to the ear of a free Roman, for with this word was associated the idea of unlimited arbitrariness and despotism. A special law was even issued regarding those who were suspected of striving for the royal crown. These ambitious people faced the death penalty if such intention was proven.

Plan
Introduction
1 Origin
2 Board
3 Policy of conquest
4 Exile, struggle against Rome and death
5 Modern research
6 Primary sources

Introduction

Lucius Tarquin the Proud (lat. Lucius Tarquinius Superbus or Tarquin II) - according to Roman legend, the last, seventh king of Ancient Rome in 534-509 BC. e. Known for his tyranny. He was expelled from Rome.

1. Origin

The father of Tarquin the Proud was the fifth king of Rome: Tarquinius Priscus. After his assassination in 578 BC. e. sons of Ancus Marcius, the favorite of Tanaquil (wife of Tarquinius Priscus) - Servius Tullius - took power into his own hands. The sons of Tarquinius Priscus - Lucius and Arun - were still babies at that time. In order to prevent his possible overthrow by the sons of the predecessor king, Servius Tullius tried to bind them to himself. The king decided to give them his daughters as wives: the meek and affectionate one for the proud Lucius, and the ambitious younger one for the indecisive Arun. However, the younger Tullia, against her father's will, married Lucius Tarquinius. They plotted and killed Arun and the elder Tullia.

The dissatisfaction of the patricians with the reforms of Servius Tullius led to the fact that the king lost the support of the Senate. Lucius Tarquin took advantage of this and tried to remove his father-in-law. The first time he did not succeed - according to legend, the people stood up for the king. Lucius Tarquinius was forced to flee. Having drawn conclusions, the next time he decided to take decisive action when the people were busy in the fields. Lucius Tarquinius convened the Senate (this was the privilege of the king) and announced that he, and not Servius Tullius, was the legal heir to the throne. When Servius Tullius (by that time already a very old man) appeared at the Senate in order to drive out the impostor, Tarquinius threw him down the steps onto a stone platform. Servius Tullius tried to escape, but was killed in the street by Lucius' followers. His body was immediately run over by a chariot by his youngest daughter Tullia.

2. Board

Immediately after his election to the kingdom, Lucius Tarquin surrounded himself with lictors and began to pursue a policy of repression against the adherents of the deceased Servius Tullius. The number of the Senate, which counted on Lucius Tarquinius returning the former privileges to the patricians, was reduced by almost half as a result of intrigues and denunciations. The tsar not only did not replenish it, but also began to convene it as rarely as possible. The functions of the Senate were actually replaced by the council of the king's associates.

Thanks to the large military booty, Lucius Tarquin began active construction in Rome. Under him, the Temple of Jupiter was completed on Capitol Hill, and the construction of the sewer system was completed ( Cloaca Maxima). Tarquinius the Proud destroyed the Sabine sanctuaries and leveled the Tarpeian Rock, which towered above the forum, from where the condemned were thrown into the Tiber.

3. Policy of conquest

Lucius Tarquin the Proud pursued an active aggressive foreign policy. He strengthened the alliance between Rome and the Latin cities by physically eliminating those who considered Rome the enslaver of Latium and creating kinship alliances. So he married his daughter to Octavius Mamilius, the king of Tusculum. Under Tarquinius Proud, Roman troops first invaded the Volscian region - the cities of Suessa-Pompecia and Anxur were conquered. The Sabines and Etruscans were suppressed.

A special legend is associated with the Latin city of Gabii, located in the center of Latium, which rebelled against the dictatorship of Tarquin the Proud. Due to the great length of its walls and the difficulties of a siege, Roman troops were unable to take the city. Then Lucius Tarquinius resorted to cunning: Sextus Tarquinius arrived in Gabii under the pretext of saving him from the cruelty of his father. No one was surprised that Tarquin was cruel even to his own children. Sextus distinguished himself in forays, and soon he was entrusted with command of the garrison of the besieged city. By order of his father, he weakened or destroyed all the rich and important citizens of the city of Gabii, and then completely opened the gates of the city to the Romans. However, the city was not sacked. Lucius Tarquin gave it to his son Sextus as a patrimonial possession.

Under Tarquinius Proud they stopped taking representatives of the lower classes into the army - they were used in construction. The army was staffed mainly from mercenaries.

4. Exile, struggle against Rome and death

The tyranny of the king and the abuses of his sons turned all sectors of society against him. The rape of the virtuous Lucretia by Sextus Tarquinius was the last straw of patience: Lucretia's relatives Lucius Junius Brutus and Publius Valerius Publicola brought her body to the forum and convinced the citizens to expel the king and establish republican rule. Tarquinius the Proud was not allowed into Rome, and he and his three younger sons were forced to seek refuge in Etruria. Sextus Tarquinius was killed during the uprising in Gabia.

In exile, Lucius Tarquin tried to gain the support of the Etruscan and Latin kings, convincing them that Rome wanted to extend republican rule throughout Latium. The Etruscan king Lars Porsena, on whom Lucius Tarquin counted most, despite the victories over the Romans, was forced to conclude a peace treaty with the republic. Lucius Tarquinius managed to turn the Latins against Rome, but at the Battle of Lake Regilus in 496 BC. e. the allied army was defeated by the Romans. All of Tarquin's remaining sons died in the battle. The former king was forced to flee to the Etruscan city of Cumae to King Aristodemus, where he died in 495 BC. e.

5. Modern research

According to ANSA.it (reprinted from Lenta.ru):

"In the ancient city of Gabii, 20 kilometers south of Rome, archaeologists discovered a palace that belonged to the family of Tarquinius the Proud."

“The terracotta tiles that covered the roof of the palace are decorated with images of the Minotaur. This was the emblem of Tarquin. Only three rooms of the palace have been excavated so far, but researchers already speak with confidence about its unprecedented luxury for those times. At the same time, traces of its deliberate destruction are noticeable,” as scholars believe, during a revolt against Sextus Tarquinius, the royal son who ruled Gabii."

6. Primary sources

· Titus Livius - “History from the foundation of the city” - I, 40-60; II, 2-20.