Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, also known simply as Tarquin the Proud, was the legendary seventh and final king of Rome, reigning from 535 BC until his dramatic expulsion in 509 BC. This marked the end of Rome’s regal era and the onset of the Roman Republic. Notoriously known for his tyranny, his reign was characterized by the use of fear and intimidation to maintain control. Not only did he refuse to consult the Roman Senate on vital matters, but he also unabashedly executed many senators whom he deemed as threats to his power. Tarquin’s outrageous pride and insolence, signified by his cognomen ‘Superbus’, was deemed nefarious and his oppressive methods were fiercely detested. His reign witnessed crucial infrastructural projects including the completion of the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, the Roman Forum, and the Cloaca Maxima, an intricate sewage system. Despite his major contributions to ancient Rome, his autocratic style of rulership prompted a rebellion that resulted in his expulsion. His tyrannical reign and eventual ouster paved the way for the establishment of the Roman Republic, a new political system that would lead the Romans to unprecedented heights of power and influence.
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