Lucius Tarquinius Superbus

Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, son of Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, and son- in-law of Servius Tullius, immediately succeeded the latter without any of th forms of 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? confirmed hisauthority 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.

---

Original text from a ppaper copy of the 9th edition EB

see Roman Republic