Lucius Junius Brutus led the revolt in 509 BC when the Roman people voted to banish King Tarquinius Superbus and establish a new system of government. He seized the dagger from Lucretia after her suicide and shouted for the overthrow of the Tarquins before gathering the youth of Collatia.
Tradition holds that Lucius Junius Brutus was the son of Tarquinia, making him the nephew of the very king he overthrew. Ancient sources claim he was an ancestor of Decimus Junius Brutus and Marcus Junius Brutus.
Lucius Junius Brutus forced the people of Rome to swear an oath never allowing any man to rule again under any circumstances. This public commitment required citizens to suffer no king in Rome and fundamentally restated the private vow taken by conspirators who overthrew the monarchy.
Lucius Junius Brutus died in single combat at Silva Arsia when he speared Arruns Tarquinius to death while leading the cavalry division against Etruscan forces. The infantry soon joined the battle creating uncertainty about the outcome until Etruscan forces fled the field leaving Romans claiming victory.
Marcus Junius Brutus first minted a denarius featuring Lucius Junius Brutus portrait as triumvir monetalis in 54 BC. He later issued gold aureus coins during the final months of Liberators civil war in 42 BC.