21.  Brutus, however, only waited this opportunity to avenge the cause of his family.  He ordered Lucre’tia’s dead body to be brought out to view, and exposing it in the public forum, inflamed the ardour of the citizens by a display of the horrid transaction.  He obtained a decree of the senate, that Tarquin and his family should be for ever banished from Rome, and that it should be capital for any to plead for, or to attempt his future return. 22.  Thus this monarch, who had now reigned twenty-five years, being expelled his kingdom, went to take refuge with his family at Ci’ra, a little city of Etru’ria.  In the mean time the Roman army made a truce with the enemy, and Bru’tus was proclaimed deliverer of the people.

Thus ended with Tarquin, after a continuance of two hundred and forty-five years, the regal state of Rome.

Questions for Examination.

1.  What was the conduct of Lucius Tarquinius at the commencement of his reign?

2.  Was his claim quietly acquiesced in?

3.  What means did he adopt for his security?

4.  By what means did he divert the people’s attention from the unlawful manner in which he acquired the crown?

5.  What happened in the mean time?

6.  To what mean artifice did he have recourse?

7.  How did Sextus accomplish his father’s design?

8.  What were the effects of this measure?

9.  In what way did he employ his subjects at home during his absence, and what extraordinary event occurred?

10.  Did he accept her offer?

11.  Was her second application successful, and what followed?

12.  What became of the Sybil, and what is the general opinion respecting this transaction?

13.  Upon what pretence did Tarquin proclaim war against the Rutuli?

14.  What remarkable event took place at the siege of Ardea?

15.  What was the consequence of this intemperate frolic?

16.  How did Lucretia support the loss of her honour?

17.  Did they obey her summons, and who did they bring with them?

18.  What was the consequence of their arrival?

19.  What effect had this dreadful catastrophe on those present?

20.  How was this unexpected resolution received?

21.  Give some account of Brutus.

22.  For what reason, and by what means, did Brutus endeavour the abolition of royalty?

23.  What became of Tarquin after his expulsion?

FOOTNOTES: 

[1] This story is manifestly a fiction formed from the Greek traditions respecting Zopy’nus and Thrasybu’lus.  It is decisively contradicted by the fact, that a treaty for the union of the Romans and Gabians, on equitable terms, was preserved in the Capitol.  It was painted on a shield covered with the hide of the bull which had been sacrificed at the ratification of the league.