Lucius Tarquinius Superbus

Lucius Tarquinius Superbus seized the throne by murdering his predecessor Servius Tullius with the help of his wife Tullia. He refused to hold elections or consult the Senate, ruling as an absolute monarch and establishing a reign of terror.

Tarquinius Superbus completed the construction of the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus on the Capitoline Hill, a project begun by his father. This temple became the most important religious sanctuary in Rome, housing the Capitoline Triad and symbolizing Roman power.

Tarquinius Superbus waged war against the Rutuli and besieged their city Ardea. The siege was prolonged and unsuccessful, and it was during this campaign that his son Sextus Tarquinius raped Lucretia, an event that sparked the rebellion leading to the monarchy's overthrow.

Following the rape of Lucretia and a revolt led by Lucius Junius Brutus, Tarquinius Superbus was expelled from Rome along with his family. The monarchy was abolished, and the Roman Republic was established, with Brutus and Collatinus elected as the first consuls.

Tarquinius Superbus sought help from Lars Porsena, king of Clusium, to regain the Roman throne. Porsena besieged Rome but eventually made peace with the Republic, abandoning Tarquinius's cause and forcing him into exile in Tusculum.