The first of Tarquin’s hapless race was he,
  Who odium tried to cast on augury;
  But Naevius Accius, with an augur’s skill. 
  Preserved its fame, and raised it higher still.—­Robertson.

1.  Lu’cius Tarquin’ius Pris’cus was appointed guardian to the sons of the late king, and took the surname of Tarquin’ius from the city of Tarquin’ia, whence he last came.  His father was a merchant of Corinth,[1] who had acquired considerable wealth by trade, and had settled in Italy, upon account of some troubles at home.  His son, who inherited his fortune, married a woman of family in the city of Tarquin’ia.

2.  His birth, profession, and country, being contemptible to the nobles of the place, he, by his wife’s persuasion, came to settle at Rome, where merit also gave a title to distinction.  On his way thither, say the historians, as he approached the city gate, an eagle, stooping from above, took off his hat, and flying round his chariot for some time, with much noise, put it on again.  This his wife Tan’aquil, who it seems was skilled in augury, interpreted as a presage that he should one day wear the crown.  Perhaps it was this which first fired his ambition to pursue it.

3.  Ancus being dead, and the kingdom, as usual, devolving upon the senate, Tarquin used all his power and arts to set aside the children of the late king, and to get himself elected in their stead.  For this purpose, upon the day appointed for election, he contrived to have them sent out of the city; and in a set speech, in which he urged his friendship for the people, the fortune he had spent among them, and his knowledge of their government, he offered himself for their king.  As there was nothing in this harangue that could be contested, it had the desired effect, and the people, with one consent, elected him as their sovereign.

4.  A kingdom thus obtained by intrigue, was, notwithstanding, governed with equity.  In the beginning of his reign, in order to recompense his friends, he added a hundred members more to the senate, which made them, in all, three hundred.

5.  But his peaceful endeavours were soon interrupted by the inroads of his restless neighbours, particularly the Latins, over whom he triumphed, and whom he forced to beg for peace.  He then turned his arms against the Sabines, who had risen once more, and had passed the river Ti’ber; but attacking them with vigour, Tarquin routed their army; so that many who escaped the sword, were drowned in attempting to cross over, while their bodies and armour, floating down to Rome, brought news of the victory, even before the messengers could arrive that were sent with the tidings.  These conquests were followed by several advantages over the Latins, from whom he took many towns, though without gaining any decisive victory.

6.  Tarquin, having thus forced his enemies into submission, was resolved not to let his subjects grow corrupt through indolence.  He therefore undertook and perfected several public works for the convenience and embellishment of the city.[2]