TUS'CULUDI, anciently a city of Latium, about 15 m. s. of Rome, was situated on a ridge of hills known as the Colles Tusculani, and forming part of the Alban range. We ought not to infer from its name (as Festus does, s.r.Tuscos) that it had any connec tion with the Etruscans. Mythically, it derived its origin from Telegonus and Circe; but we catch the first certain glimpse of its historical existence toward the close of the regal period at Rome. Then, however, it appears in the enjoyment of a high degree of prosperity and power, and therefore its beginnings are in all probability remote. Oetavius Marnilius, ruler of Tusculum, and the foremost prince in Latium. married a daughter of Tarquin the proud (see TARQUINIUS), and played a conspicuous part in the last of the great struggles made by the banished tyrant to regain his kingdom. On that occasion. the Latins were so thoroughly beaten (see REGILLUS LAKE) that they were fain to enter into an alliance with the victor, and ever after—except in the single instance of the great Latin war (340-338 B.c.)—remained steady in their attachment and fidelity to Rome. As early as 378 B. C. , the inhabitants of Tusculum received the Roman franchise, and among its many distinguished gentes may be specially mentioned the Porcian, which produced two famous men of a thoroughly "Roman" stamp, Cato major and Cato minor.
Toward the close of the republic. Tusculum became a famous country residence of the wealthy Romans. Lucullus had a villa here (with parks and gardens extending north ward Nfor miles); so had Cato, Brutus, Hortensius, Crassus, Caesar, and Cicero. The villa (Tusculanum, Tusculum house) of the great orator is peculiarly memorable as the place where he Composed many of his philosophical works, and particularly those charming dialogues (Tit8culance disputationes) which derive their name from it. Long after the western empire had fallen, Tusculum continued to flourish. As late as the 12th c., the ancient city continued entire; but in 1191 it was stormed by the Romans (between whom and the Tusculans there had long been a deadly feud), and razed to the ground. It never recovered from this blow; but lower down there arose from its ruins, if we may so speak, the town of Frascati (q.v.). Many fine remains of ancient Tuscn him have been dug up in recent times, the most remarkable, perhaps, being the amphi theater, theater, and city walls.