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7
King of Rome
Lucius Tarquinius
Superbus
535 B.C. - 495 B.C
Part I
Tarquin was the son of the 5th king of
Rome, Lucius Tarquinius Priscus. He
was passed over for the throne by his
mother Tanaquil who
supported Servius
Tullius.
He began his reign by forbidding
the burial of his father-in-law and
putting to death many senators
whom he thought were still loyal to
Servius.
He did not replace the slain
senators and not consulting the
senate on all matters of
government, he diminished both
the size and authority of the
senate.
According to one story, Tarquin was
approached by the Cumaean Sybil,
she offered him nine books of
prophecy at an exorbitant price. He
refused.
She burned three of the books. She
then offered him the remaining six at
the same price.
Tarquin hesitated but again refused.
She burned three more books and
offered him the last three at the
same price.
At last Tarquin accepted. The books
are kept in the fortress temple of
Jupiter.
The people of Rome became very
upset with Tarquin for losing six of
the nine books.