The rise to power of the man known in history as Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, the legendary fifth king of Rome, is a tale steeped in intrigue and strategic alliances. He was born to a noble but exiled family in the Etruscan city of Tarquinii, and his journey to authority began with his move to Rome with his wife, Tanaquil.
His stellar tactical prowess and amiable personality made him a revered figure in Rome. When Ancus Marcius, the fourth Roman king, witnessed his diplomacy, he appointed Priscus as guardian to his sons. This demonstrated the genuine trust and respect Priscus had gained even from the reigning king, firmly establishing his political stature.
Upon Marcius’s death, notwithstanding the designated heirs, Priscus seized the opportunity and assumed control over Rome. He strategically intercepted and withheld the news of the king’s death until he secured control over the Roman public assembly, which had the power to elect the new king.
During his reign, he initiated a series of significant infrastructural developments and military expansions, transforming Rome in the process. Thus, his ascendancy to authority was both shrewd and transformational, marking a significant epoch in Roman history.
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