Tarquinius SuperbusThe Seventh and Last King of Rome
Tarquinius Superbus came to power when he, along with his wife, Tullia, ran over Servius Tullius and killed him.
While he was king, Superbus finished the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus and established the triad of worship: Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva. He also purchased the 3 Sibylline books, but only after the Sibyl had let the other 6 of them burn. Superbus was a major reason for the fall of the Monarchy and the rise of the Republic. The major cause for this change was not his own, however, but his son's. Sextus Tarquinius, the son of Tarquinius Superbus, was a jealous man and was insulted when the wife of his relative, Collatinus, was the only one remaining loyal and modest while they were away at war. Sextus was so offended that he later raped Lucretia. As she died, the Roman people found out about Sextus' betrayal, and kicked the royal family out of the city and established their beloved republic. |
Quick Facts• 7th king of Rome
• Established buildings and a few aspects of worship, and purchased the Sibylline books • His son was the cause of their dynasty's downfall |
Heritage• Origin: Etruscan
• Father: Tarquinius Priscus • Mother: Tanaquil |
Fun Facts• Tarquinius Superbus was a tricky individual, and once framed a man, Turnus Herdonius, for treason because Herdonius started to yell at him
• Lucius Junius Brutus, one of the first consuls of the Roman Republic, was the nephew of Tarquinius Superbus |