Ancient History - The Etruscan Kings of Rome

Who were the Etruscans?

The people of Italy who developed a large trade network across the Medditaranean. The Romans adopted many of their practices

How did Lucius Tarquinius Priscus (Tarquin the Elder) become king?

An Etruscan who had gained favour with Ancus Marcius, he took the name instead of Lucomo and was offered the throne by Ancus.

What political changes did he make?

Added a hundred Etruscan men to the Senate and built the Circus Maximus

What social and religious changes did he make?

Extended the forum with shops and colonnades, built an open air sewer and increased the Vestal Virgins (also introducing punishments for Vestal Virgins breaking their rules)

What military changes did he make?

Defeated Latin, Etruscan and Sabine cities, built new walls, increased the size of the army and introduced new cavalry

How was Tarquin killed?

The sons of Ancus couldn’t take the throne so wanted revenge. They organised two shepherds to kill Tarquin and those shepherds faked a fight. Tarquin brought them in where they talked and one used an axe on the back of Tarquin’s head. They were captured while Tarquin’s wife Tanaquil tried all she could but he died.

How did Servius Tullius come to power?

Tanaquil called for Servius who agreed to lead, and Servius stated he’d rule while Tarquin “recovered” with rumours eventually coming of Tarquin’s death. Fearing hate from Tarquin’s sons, Servius married the sons and his daughters. He then sought peaceful rule.

What political changes did Servius make?

Introduced class system (for military contribution), a new cavalry unit called the equites, votes being cast first for the rich (which often meant the poor failed to vote becasue the vote was already finished)

What social and religious changes did he make?

Class system based on location, not ethnicity, extended hills, built the Temple of Diana

According to Dionysius, how did Lucius Tarquinius Superbus come to power?

Servius’ reforms made him unpopular and the burdens caused Superbus to win the support of the rich

According to Livy how did it happen?

Superbus was the son in law of Servius and bribed senators. Superbus sat on the throne and claimed kingship while insulting Servius. Servius ran in and was thrown down a flight of stairs, and then killed, either by Superbus’ men or by Tullia (his daughter) who ran over him with a chariot in rage

What political and military changes did he make?

Surrounded with bodyguards, a good diplomat, enlarged Rome with colonies, provided (albeit bad) jobs, presided over capital crimes and refused to bury Servius, failed to consult the Senate (which caused hate to increase) and made the plebeians labourers and banned ceremonies which allowed plotting against him

What were the Sibylline Oracles?

A woman came to him with nine books and asked for the price. When refused, she burnt three and this repeated twice, asking for the original price. He relented upon advice and the three books were used occassionally in Roman history.