Servius Tullius was the sixth legendary king of ancient Rome who reigned from 578 to 534 BC. He is credited with the implementation of significant constitutional reforms which later led to the establishment of the Roman Republic. Born into a humble background, Tullius embodies the proverbial rags-to-riches story; he was allegedly the son of a captive Oscan woman named Ocrisia, who was a slave to Tanaquil, the wife of the fourth Etruscan king Tarquinius Priscus. Despite his lowly beginnings, Tullius caught the attention of King Tarquinius with his intelligence and character, which led him to be groomed as a successor to the throne. As king, Servius Tullius is recognized for his injection of democratic principles into the largely autocratic Roman monarchy. He is believed to have instituted the Centuriate Assembly, a popular assembly that played a crucial role in the governance of the Roman state. This move marked a significant departure from previous Roman rulers who had only allowed an aristocratic assembly to have governance power. In addition to political reforms, Servius also carried out the first census in Rome, the Servian Wall’s construction, and the organization of Roman territory into administrative units. Despite his innovative reign, Servius Tullius met a tragic end when he was assassinated in a conspiracy led by his own daughter Tullia and son-in-law Tarquinius Superbus, who then claimed the throne.
 |
 |