TARQUI'NII, an ancient town of Etruria, on the southern bank of the river Marta, which empties itself into the sea a few miles below. According to Strain) the town was founded by Tarcon, one of the companions of Tyrrhenus. Iu the reign of Ancus Marcius, Demaratus of Corinth is said to have come with a band of his countrymen to Etruria, and to have been favourably received by the Tarquinieosca; and the story describes him as the father of L. Tarquinius Priam& This tradition shows that Tnrquinii experienced at an early period considerable influence from Greece. Tarquinii appears to have become in a short time a great and powerful city, as is clear from the wars which it carried on with Rome, and from the important romaine which have recently been discovered; nod there is little doubt that it formed one of the twelve republics of Etruria. After the expulsion of Tar quinius Superbus from Rome, in n.c. 509, the Tarquinicuses unsuccess fully endeavoured to restore him by force of arms. In the 4th century
before Christ they carried on frequent wars against Rome. At last in D.C. 356 they were defeated by the dictator 3larchis Rutilus, and the year after they were compelled by C. Sulpicius to lay down their arms. Shortly after the Tarquiniensea sued for a truce, which was granted for forty years. At a later period Tarquinii became a Roman Municipium (Cicero, ' pro Cmcin.,' 4).
The site of the ancient Tarquinii is clearly discernible in the ruins still extant on the hill of Tarehino, near the modern town of Corneto. The place has in modern times acquired a peculiar interest through the numerous works of art which have been discovered in the tombs and catacombs. Most important are the paintings with which the walls of the catacombs are decorated ; but besides these, then= and temples with inscriptions, mosaics and vases, and other works of art, are found there.