Lucius Tarquinius Superbus

Lucius Tarquinius Superbus was the seventh and last king of Rome (534-510 BC). Tarquinius Superbus was commonly known as Tarquin the Proud. Tarquinius Superbus was either the son or grandson of Lucius Tarquinius Priscus.

Tarquin was married to Tullia, the daughter of Servius Tullius. Tullia encouraged her husband to murder her father, so that Tarquin could ascend to the throne.

Tarquin was responsible for the building of Capitoline Temple (Jupiter Capitolinus) and the Cloaca Maxima, the sewerage system that discharged into the Tiber. Tarquin concluded a treaty with Gabii, a town east of Rome.

Livy portrayed Tarquin as a wicked tyrant, ruling like a despot. Tarquin alienated the Senate, having put many of them to death.

Tarquin was the father of Titus, Arruns and Sextus. It was Sextus who would cause him to lose his throne. Tarquin was deposed and exiled. Tarquin was also the uncle of Lucius Junius Brutus and Lucius Tarquinius Collatinus. See the Birth of the Republic about Tarquin's downfall.

The Romans abolished the monarchy and established a government system called the Republic. Tarquin lived the rest of his life in exile in Etruria. See the Legend of the Republic.

Tarquinius Superbus died at Cumae in 496 BC.