But on other matters Tarquinius was less politically astute. Tarquin concluded a treaty with Gabii, a town east of Rome. Tarquin was responsible for the building of Capitoline Temple (Jupiter Capitolinus) and the Cloaca Maxima, the sewerage system that discharged into the Tiber River. He continued with great vigor the work of extending the power of the city, and the founding of colonies by him was the beginning of Rome's path to supremacy of the world. The Latin cities recognized Roman leadership, and Tarquin added several towns to his kingdom. Its capital had some 35,000 inhabitants, its territory was some 800 square kilometers, and its zone of influence stretched as far as Circeii and Terracina - 90 kilometers to the southeast. Tullia had encouraged her husband to murder her father, so that Tarquin ascended to the throne.Īt the time his kingdom was one of the most powerful in Italy. Tarquin was married to Tullia, the daughter of Servius Tullius. Lucius Tarquinius Superbus (Tarquin the Proud) a descendant from an Etruscan family (he was the son of Lucius Tarquinius Priscus) was the legendary seventh (and the last) king of ancient Rome. Her husband and father cried out.Lucius Tarquinius Superbus (Tarquin the Proud) King: 535 - 509 BC From now on, no woman can use the example of Lucretia to live unchaste.’ With that she took the dagger she had hidden in her clothes, plunged in into her heart, and fell forward dead. As for me, although I absolve myself of guilt, I do not release myself from paying the penalty. ‘You’ll see,’ she said, ‘what punishment he deserves. They all promised and reassured her that she, who had been forced, was not guilty, but only the author of the crime. But that pleasure, if you are men, will be death for him as well as for me.’ Last night, he came an enemy masquerading as a guest and by force of arms took his pleasure. Promise me that the adulterer will be punished. But only the body was violated, the mind is innocent, as my death shall attest. ‘No’, she replied, ‘how can anything be all right if a woman has lost her honour? In your bed, Collatinus, you’ll find the traces of another man. Spurius Lucretius came with Publius Valerius, son of Volesus, while her husband brought Lucius Junius Brutus with whom he happened to be returned to Rome when he met his wife’s messenger. Lucretia, overwrought by her ordeal, send a messenger to her father in Rome and her husband in Ardea for them to come to her each with one trusted friend and that they should hurry as something terrible had happened. With such terror his lust triumphed over her tenacious chastity, and then he went away, proud of having blotted the woman’s honour. That way it would seem that she had been killed in the act of adultery. He said that next to her dead body he would place the corpse of a slave with his throat cut. But when he saw that the fear of death was having no effect, he tried that of dishonour. Tarquinius confessed his love and tried to persuade her with a combination of entreaties and threats. One sound and you will die.’ The terrified woman, awakened like that, was sure she was going to die. With his left hand he pinned her to the bed and said, ‘Not a sound, Lucretia. When he was sure everyone in the house was asleep, he went, with his sword drawn, to Lucretia’s room, where she was asleep. The household received him warmly, as no one realized why he had come, and after dinner he was shown to the guestroom already seething with passion. That was when Sextus Tarquinius became inflamed by lust and became possessed by the idea of raping Lucretia.Ī few days later, unbeknownst to Collatinus, Sextus Tarquinius returned to Collatia with a single companion. She greeted her husband and the Tarquins, and the victorious husband graciously invited the others to dine. There was no question who won the contest. They continued on to Collatia to check on Lucretia, whom they found, not at dinner like the others, but in the atrium of the house, with only her maidservants, working at her wool by lamplight. There they found the daughters-in-law of the king banqueting with their friends. ‘Let’s go!’ they cried and flew off towards Rome, which they reached as twilight was falling. Then we’ll see with our own eyes how our wives behave when we’re not around.’ The wine had got them fired up. Why don’t we get on our horses and make a surprise visit. Collatinus said there was no need for all the talk as only a few hours were needed to prove beyond a doubt that his wife was the most virtuous. Each one praised his own, and the discussion heated up. While they were drinking at Sextus Tarquinius’ house, where Tarquinius Collatinus, son of Egerius, was also dining, the conversation happened to turn to their wives.
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