Tarquinius Priscus
Encyclopedia
Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, also called Tarquin the Elder or Tarquin I, was the legendary fifth King of Rome from 616 BC to 579 BC. His wife was Tanaquil
.
, Tarquinius Priscus came from the Etruria. Livy claims that his original Etruscan name was Lucumo, but since Lucumo (Etruscan
Lucius) is the Etruscan word for "King", there is reason to believe that Priscus' name and title have been confused in the official tradition. After inheriting his father's entire fortune, Lucius attempted to gain a political office. Disgruntled with his opportunities in Etruria (he had been prohibited from obtaining political office in Tarquinii because of the ethnicity of his father, Demaratus the Corinthian
, who came from the Greek
city of Corinth
), he migrated to Rome
with his wife Tanaquil
, at her suggestion. Legend has it that on his arrival in Rome in a chariot
, an eagle took his cap, flew away and then returned it back upon his head. Tanaquil, who was skilled in prophecy, interpreted this as an omen
of his future greatness. In Rome he attained respect through his courtesy. King Ancus Marcius
himself noticed Tarquinius and, by his will, appointed Tarquinius guardian of his own sons.
According to Livy, Tarquinius increased the number of the Senate
by the addition of 100 men from the minor leading families. Among them was the family of the Octavii
, the family of the future first emperor Augustus
.
Tarquinius' first war was waged against the Latins. Tarquinius took the Latin town of Apiolae
by storm and took great booty from there back to Rome. According to the Fasti Triumphales, the war occurred prior to 588 BC.
His military ability was tested by an attack from the Sabines. The Sabines received auxiliaries from five Etruscan cities. Tarquinius doubled the numbers of equites to help the war effort. The Sabines were defeated after dangerous street fighting in Rome. In the peace negotiations that followed, Tarquinius received the town of Collatia
and appointed his nephew Aruns Tarquinius
, surnamed Egerius, as commander of the garrison which he stationed in that city. Tarquinius returned to Rome and celebrated a triumph for his victories over the Sabines which, according to the Fasti Triumphales, occurred on 13th September 585 BC.
Subsequently the Latin cities of Corniculum
, old Ficulea
, Cameria
, Crustumerium
, Ameriola
, Medullia
and Nomentum were subdued and became Roman.
Since Tarquinius made it a point to keep the captured Etruscan auxiliaries as prisoners for meddling in the war, the five Etruscan cities who had taken part declared war on Rome. These five cities managed to convince seven other Etruscan cities to join forces with them. The Etruscans soon captured the Roman colony at Fidenae, which thereupon became the focal point of the war. After several bloody battles, Tarquinius was once again victorious and subjugated the Etruscan cities who had taken part in the war. After each of these wars, which were always extremely successful, Tarquinius brought rich plunder to Rome.
Tarquinius established the Circus Maximus
. Raised seating was erected privately by the senators and equites, and other areas were marked out for private citizens. According to Livy horses and boxers from Etruria were sent for as the first to participate in the thenceforth annual games.
After a great flood, the damp lowlands of Rome were drained by the construction of the Cloaca Maxima
(great sewer). He also constructed a stone wall around Rome. As his last great act he began the construction of a temple in honour of Jupiter Optimus Maximus on the Capitoline Hill
, partially funded by plunder seized from the Sabines.
Many of the Roman symbols both of war and of civil office date from his reign, and he was the first to celebrate a Roman triumph
, after the Etruscan
fashion, wearing a robe of purple and gold, and borne on a chariot drawn by four horses.
with an axe blow to the head. Thanks to the intelligent foresight of the queen Tanaquil
however, the sons of Ancus were not chosen, but rather Tarquinius' son-in-law Servius Tullius
, husband of his daughter Tarquinia, was elected as his successor. Tarquinius' other daughter, Tarquinia, married Marcus Junius Brutus (father of Lucius Junius Brutus
). Tarquinius' sons were Lucius Tarquinius Superbus
and Aruns Tarquinius, both of whom married the daughters of Servius Tullius, named Tulliae.
Tanaquil
Tanaquil was the wife of Tarquinius Priscus, fifth king of Rome.-History:She had four children, two daughters and two sons. One of the daughters became the wife to Servius Tullius, when he became the successor....
.
Early life
According to LivyLivy
Titus Livius — known as Livy in English — was a Roman historian who wrote a monumental history of Rome and the Roman people. Ab Urbe Condita Libri, "Chapters from the Foundation of the City," covering the period from the earliest legends of Rome well before the traditional foundation in 753 BC...
, Tarquinius Priscus came from the Etruria. Livy claims that his original Etruscan name was Lucumo, but since Lucumo (Etruscan
Etruscan language
The Etruscan language was spoken and written by the Etruscan civilization, in what is present-day Italy, in the ancient region of Etruria and in parts of Lombardy, Veneto, and Emilia-Romagna...
Lucius) is the Etruscan word for "King", there is reason to believe that Priscus' name and title have been confused in the official tradition. After inheriting his father's entire fortune, Lucius attempted to gain a political office. Disgruntled with his opportunities in Etruria (he had been prohibited from obtaining political office in Tarquinii because of the ethnicity of his father, Demaratus the Corinthian
Demaratus the Corinthian
Demaratus the Corinthian was the father of Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, the fifth King of Rome and the grandfather of Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, the seventh and last king.-Life:...
, who came from the Greek
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
city of Corinth
Ancient Corinth
Corinth, or Korinth was a city-state on the Isthmus of Corinth, the narrow stretch of land that joins the Peloponnesus to the mainland of Greece, roughly halfway between Athens and Sparta. The modern town of Corinth is located approximately northeast of the ancient ruins...
), he migrated to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
with his wife Tanaquil
Tanaquil
Tanaquil was the wife of Tarquinius Priscus, fifth king of Rome.-History:She had four children, two daughters and two sons. One of the daughters became the wife to Servius Tullius, when he became the successor....
, at her suggestion. Legend has it that on his arrival in Rome in a chariot
Chariot
The chariot is a type of horse carriage used in both peace and war as the chief vehicle of many ancient peoples. Ox carts, proto-chariots, were built by the Proto-Indo-Europeans and also built in Mesopotamia as early as 3000 BC. The original horse chariot was a fast, light, open, two wheeled...
, an eagle took his cap, flew away and then returned it back upon his head. Tanaquil, who was skilled in prophecy, interpreted this as an omen
Omen
An omen is a phenomenon that is believed to foretell the future, often signifying the advent of change...
of his future greatness. In Rome he attained respect through his courtesy. King Ancus Marcius
Ancus Marcius
Ancus Marcius was the legendary fourth of the Kings of Rome.He was the son of Marcius and Pompilia...
himself noticed Tarquinius and, by his will, appointed Tarquinius guardian of his own sons.
King of Rome
Upon the death of Ancus Marcius, Tarquinius Priscus addressed the Comitia Curiata and convinced them that he should be elected king over Marcius' natural sons, who were still only in their teenage years.According to Livy, Tarquinius increased the number of the Senate
Senate of the Roman Kingdom
The Senate of the Roman Kingdom was a political institution in the ancient Roman Kingdom. The word senate derives from the Latin word senex, which means "old man"...
by the addition of 100 men from the minor leading families. Among them was the family of the Octavii
Octavii
The gens Octavia was a plebeian family at Rome, which was raised to patrician status by Caesar during the 1st century BC The first member of the gens to achieve prominence was Gnaeus Octavius Rufus, quaestor circa 230 BC...
, the family of the future first emperor Augustus
Augustus
Augustus ;23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD.The dates of his rule are contemporary dates; Augustus lived under two calendars, the Roman Republican until 45 BC, and the Julian...
.
Tarquinius' first war was waged against the Latins. Tarquinius took the Latin town of Apiolae
Apiolae
Apiolae was a town in ancient Latium, Italy.During the early semi-legendary history of Rome, in the reign of Rome's fifth king, Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, it is said that the Latins went to war with Rome. Tarquinius took Apiolae by storm, and from there returned to Rome with much booty....
by storm and took great booty from there back to Rome. According to the Fasti Triumphales, the war occurred prior to 588 BC.
His military ability was tested by an attack from the Sabines. The Sabines received auxiliaries from five Etruscan cities. Tarquinius doubled the numbers of equites to help the war effort. The Sabines were defeated after dangerous street fighting in Rome. In the peace negotiations that followed, Tarquinius received the town of Collatia
Collatia
Collatia was an ancient town of central Italy, c. 15 km northeast of Rome by the Via Collatina.It appears in the legendary history of Rome as captured by Tarquinius Priscus. Virgil speaks of it as a Latin colony of Alba Longa...
and appointed his nephew Aruns Tarquinius
Egerius
Aruns Egerius Tarquinius was a member of the royal family of early Rome.His father was Aruns, son of Demaratus the Corinthian and a noblewoman Princess from Tarquinii....
, surnamed Egerius, as commander of the garrison which he stationed in that city. Tarquinius returned to Rome and celebrated a triumph for his victories over the Sabines which, according to the Fasti Triumphales, occurred on 13th September 585 BC.
Subsequently the Latin cities of Corniculum
Corniculum (ancient Latin town)
Corniculum was an ancient town in Latium in central Italy.In Rome's early semi-legendary history, the town was part of the Latin League, which went to war with Rome during the reign of Rome's king Lucius Tarquinius Priscus...
, old Ficulea
Ficulea (ancient Latin town)
Ficulea was an ancient town in Latium in central Italy.In Rome's early semi-legendary history, the town was part of the Latin League, which went to war with Rome during the reign of Rome's king Lucius Tarquinius Priscus. Ficulea was one of a number of towns captured by Tarquinius....
, Cameria
Cameria (ancient Latin town)
Cameria was an ancient town in Latium in central Italy.In Rome's early semi-legendary history, the town was part of the Latin League, which went to war with Rome during the reign of Rome's king Lucius Tarquinius Priscus. Cameria was one of a number of towns captured by Tarquinius....
, Crustumerium
Crustumerium
Crustumerium was an ancient town of Latium, on the edge of the Sabine territory, near the headwaters of the Allia, not far from the Tiber....
, Ameriola
Ameriola
Ameriola was an ancient town in Latium in central Italy.According to Livy, the town was part of the Latin League, which went to war with Rome during the reign of Rome's king Lucius Tarquinius Priscus. Ameriola was one of a number of towns captured by Tarquinius....
, Medullia
Medullia
Medullia was a town in ancient Latium, Italy.In Rome's early semi-legendary history, Medullia was one of a number of cities of the Latins who went to war with ancient Rome in the 7th century BC, during the reign of the Roman King Ancus Marcius. The town was the focus of the main part of the war...
and Nomentum were subdued and became Roman.
Since Tarquinius made it a point to keep the captured Etruscan auxiliaries as prisoners for meddling in the war, the five Etruscan cities who had taken part declared war on Rome. These five cities managed to convince seven other Etruscan cities to join forces with them. The Etruscans soon captured the Roman colony at Fidenae, which thereupon became the focal point of the war. After several bloody battles, Tarquinius was once again victorious and subjugated the Etruscan cities who had taken part in the war. After each of these wars, which were always extremely successful, Tarquinius brought rich plunder to Rome.
Tarquinius established the Circus Maximus
Circus Maximus
The Circus Maximus is an ancient Roman chariot racing stadium and mass entertainment venue located in Rome, Italy. Situated in the valley between the Aventine and Palatine hills, it was the first and largest stadium in ancient Rome and its later Empire...
. Raised seating was erected privately by the senators and equites, and other areas were marked out for private citizens. According to Livy horses and boxers from Etruria were sent for as the first to participate in the thenceforth annual games.
After a great flood, the damp lowlands of Rome were drained by the construction of the Cloaca Maxima
Cloaca Maxima
The Cloaca Maxima is one of the world's earliest sewage systems. Constructed in Ancient Rome in order to drain local marshes and remove the waste of one of the world's most populous cities, it carried an effluent to the River Tiber, which ran beside the city....
(great sewer). He also constructed a stone wall around Rome. As his last great act he began the construction of a temple in honour of Jupiter Optimus Maximus on the Capitoline Hill
Capitoline Hill
The Capitoline Hill , between the Forum and the Campus Martius, is one of the seven hills of Rome. It was the citadel of the earliest Romans. By the 16th century, Capitolinus had become Capitolino in Italian, with the alternative Campidoglio stemming from Capitolium. The English word capitol...
, partially funded by plunder seized from the Sabines.
Many of the Roman symbols both of war and of civil office date from his reign, and he was the first to celebrate a Roman triumph
Roman triumph
The Roman triumph was a civil ceremony and religious rite of ancient Rome, held to publicly celebrate and sanctify the military achievement of an army commander who had won great military successes, or originally and traditionally, one who had successfully completed a foreign war. In Republican...
, after the Etruscan
Etruscan civilization
Etruscan civilization is the modern English name given to a civilization of ancient Italy in the area corresponding roughly to Tuscany. The ancient Romans called its creators the Tusci or Etrusci...
fashion, wearing a robe of purple and gold, and borne on a chariot drawn by four horses.
Death
Tarquinius reigned for 38 years. Meanwhile the now adult sons of his predecessor Ancus Marcius thought that the throne should fall to them. Thus they arranged for Tarquinius Priscus to be assassinatedAssassination
To carry out an assassination is "to murder by a sudden and/or secret attack, often for political reasons." Alternatively, assassination may be defined as "the act of deliberately killing someone, especially a public figure, usually for hire or for political reasons."An assassination may be...
with an axe blow to the head. Thanks to the intelligent foresight of the queen Tanaquil
Tanaquil
Tanaquil was the wife of Tarquinius Priscus, fifth king of Rome.-History:She had four children, two daughters and two sons. One of the daughters became the wife to Servius Tullius, when he became the successor....
however, the sons of Ancus were not chosen, but rather Tarquinius' son-in-law Servius Tullius
Servius Tullius
Servius Tullius was the legendary sixth king of ancient Rome, and the second of its Etruscan dynasty. He reigned 578-535 BC. Roman and Greek sources describe his servile origins and later marriage to a daughter of Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, Rome's first Etruscan king, who was assassinated in 579 BC...
, husband of his daughter Tarquinia, was elected as his successor. Tarquinius' other daughter, Tarquinia, married Marcus Junius Brutus (father of Lucius Junius Brutus
Lucius Junius Brutus
Lucius Junius Brutus was the founder of the Roman Republic and traditionally one of the first consuls in 509 BC. He was claimed as an ancestor of the Roman gens Junia, including Marcus Junius Brutus, the most famous of Caesar's assassins.- Background :...
). Tarquinius' sons were Lucius Tarquinius Superbus
Lucius Tarquinius Superbus
Lucius Tarquinius Superbus was the legendary seventh and final King of Rome, reigning from 535 BC until the popular uprising in 509 BC that led to the establishment of the Roman Republic. He is more commonly known by his cognomen Tarquinius Superbus and was a member of the so-called Etruscan...
and Aruns Tarquinius, both of whom married the daughters of Servius Tullius, named Tulliae.
External links
- Stemma Tarquiniorum, Tarquinius family tree