Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, or Tarquin the Ancient, was the fifth king of Ancient Rome. Ruled from 616 to 579 BC. e. The historicity of Tarquin is recognized by most modern historians. According to some historians, he is the most likely founder of Rome.
According to legend, the king's birthplace was the Etruscan city of Tarquinia. His real name was Lukumon. The father of Lucius Tarquinius, Demaratus, moved to Tarquinia from the Greek city of Corinth and belonged to the Bacchiad family. Born of a Tarquin woman, Lucumon, in his youth, acquired a large fortune for himself and married Tanaquil, an intelligent and ambitious woman. It was she who advised him to move to Rome, since in Tarquinia, due to the fact that Lucumon was not a purebred Etruscan, his path to higher positions was closed.
Lucumon went to Rome with his entire house and wealth. When he was already approaching Janiculum in his chariot, the eagle circled over the head of the future king, grabbed his helmet, lifted it into the air, and then placed it on his head again. Tanaquil saw this as a good omen and said that Lucumon would become king.
Arriving in Rome, Lucumon took a new name: Lucius Tarquinius. Thanks to his wealth and wisdom, he soon became one of the most powerful men in Rome. King Ankh Marcius noticed Lucius Tarquinius, made him his confidant and appointed him commander of the cavalry. After his death, Lucius Tarquin convinced the National Assembly that it was he, and not one of the young children of Ancus Marcius, who should become king of Rome.
After his election to the kingdom, Lucius Tarquin was forced to continue external wars with the Latins, Etruscans and Sabines. Cities such as Apioli, Firulea, Cameria and Nomentum were taken by assault. Lucius Tarquinius managed to subjugate Etruria and the Sabines and took enormous booty. Under him, Rome finally became the head of the Latin Union, inheriting this title from Alba Longa, destroyed by Tullus Hostilius.
During his reign, Lucius Tarquin carried out many reforms and became closely involved in the development of Rome. Under him, art began to develop in Rome. Here are the main milestones of his activities:
Lucius Tarquinius enlarged the senate to 200 people with new members from poor families. Among them were Octavia. Also, the Comitia Centuriata was expanded to 1,800 people.
Under him, the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus was built, and a place was allocated for the Roman Forum. Lucius Tarquinius, according to legend, built a Roman sewer system, the Great Cloaca, to drain wastewater. He also built a large circus building to hold regular races and festivals.
Lucius Tarquin brought many Etruscan customs to Rome and, after victories over the Etruscans and Sabines, was the first to celebrate a triumph in Rome according to the Etruscan model.
As part of the conspiracy, the sons of Ancus Marcius staged a showy quarrel among themselves, and when Lucius Tarquinius came out to reconcile them, he was killed with a blow from a club. However, the conspirators did not gain anything from this murder and were expelled from the city: the curule chair was taken by the adopted son of the murdered king and Tanaquil’s favorite, Servius Tullius.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru