Lucius Tarquinius Collatinus

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Enraged by his cousin's deed, Collatinus and his father-in-law brought news of the crime before the people. They were supported by Brutus, the king's nephew, and others who had suffered various cruelties at the hands of the king and his sons. While the king was away on a campaign, the conspirators barred the gates of Rome and established a republican government, headed by two consuls, so that one man should not be master of Rome. Brutus and Collatinus were the first consuls, and set about the defense of the city.

Collatinus' ascendency was short-lived; although he himself had suffered at the hands of the king, and ushered in the Republic, he soon became the object of revulsion from those who would not abide any of the Tarquins in power at Rome. Collatinus was dumbstruck when Brutus, his colleague and cousin, called upon him to resign, but resisted until his father-in-law, Lucretius, added his voice to the chorus. Fearing what might become of him should he refuse the popular demand, Collatinus laid down the consulship and went into exile at Lanuvium.

Brutus, who as the king's nephew was even closer to the royal house, was spared the same indignity, as a part of the Junia gens; but he fell in battle the same year against the king's forces. Publius Valerius Poplicola was appointed consul suffectus in the place of Collatinus, and the elderly Spurius Lucretius in place of Brutus; but he died soon after, and Marcus Horatius Pulvillus became consul in his place, the fifth and final consul of the first year of the Republic. [3]

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References

  1. Livy. Ab Urbe Condita Libri . pp. I, 57.
  2. Livy. Ab Urbe Condita Libri . pp. I, 34, 38.
  3. Livy, History of Rome , ii. 2.

Sources

Lucius Tarquinius Collatinus
Tarquinius-Collatinus.jpg
Consul of the Roman Republic
In office
509 509 BC
Political offices
Preceded by
New creation
Consul of the Roman Republic
with Lucius Junius Brutus
509 BC
Succeeded by