TARQITINIITS, the family name of two kings of Rome, with whose history, or rather with the legends regarding whom, the fortunes of the city are closely interwoven. The story goes that Demaratus, a Corinthian noble, emigrated from Greece, and settled at Tarqninii, in Etruria, where he married an Etruscan wife, by whom he had two sons, Aruns and Lucumo. Afuns died during his father's lifetime, but Lucumo married into. one of the noblest Etruscan families, His wife, named Tanaquil, was a bold, ambitious and wise woman. By her advice, Lucumo resolved to go to Rome. He set out, accom panied by a large train of followers, and as be approached the Janiculum, an eagle swooped down, and snatching off his cap, carried it up to a great height, then descending, placed it on his head again. Tanaquil, who was deeply skilled in the science of augury, prophesied from this omen the highest honors for her husband, who was hospitably received at Rome, and soon after admitted to the rights of citizenship, whereupon he took the name of L. Tarquinius, or. according to Livy, L. Tarquinius Priscus. The Roman monarch, Ancus Marcius, appointed him guardian of his children; and on the death of the former, the senate and the citizens unanimously elected him'to the vacant throne. His reign was a glorious one. Against the Latins, Sabines, and (according to Dionysius) the Etruscans, he waged successful war, forcing the whole of the twelve sovereign cities of Etruria to recognize his supremacy, and do him homage. But the works that he executed at home are even more renowned than his exploits abroad. Priscus (Prisms is commonly translated the " elder;" but Niebuhr objects
to this translation as involving an anachronism, and notices the fact that Priseus is common cognomen among the Romans) are ascribed the construction of the magnificent. Cloaca, or sewers (see, however, CLOACA 3IAximA), which remain uninjured to this day; the laying out of the circus Maximus and the Forum; the institution of the great or Roman games; and (some say) the building of the Capitoline temple (see CAPITOL). The legend also represents him as effecting certain political and sacerdotal changes. See Roint. Tarquinius was assassinated after a reign of 38 years, at the instigation of the sons of Ancus Marcius, who considered themselves as best entitled to the throne, and dreaded lest he should use his influence to get his favorite and son-in-law, Servius Tub lius, chosen as his successor. But their crime did not avail them, for, through the dex terity of Tanaquil, Servius was elected to the vacant throne, and signalized himself not only by his military exploits, but also by great organic changes in the Roman constitu tion (see article ROME for an account of the " Servian reform"). Tarquinius left two sons, L. Tarquinius Superhus and Aruns, both of whom married daughters of Servius Tullius; and two daughters; one of whom married Servius Tullius himself and the other M. Brutus, by whom she became mother of L. Brutus, first consul of the Roma republic.