Sextus Tarquinius
Sextus Tarquinius was one of the sons of Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, the last king of Rome. Historical records indicate his family held Etruscan descent. Fabius Pictor presented him as the second son between Titus and Arruns in early accounts. Livy described him differently as either the third or first son depending on the source. Dionysius of Halicarnassus offered yet another variation on his birth order. The Roman tradition emphasizes his role in deceiving the town of Gabii. King Tarquinius Superbus struggled to capture this settlement by force. He sent Sextus to pretend he defected from his father's army. This young prince became a general within the enemy ranks. His betrayal allowed his father to seize the town without further bloodshed.
Tarquinius Superbus besieged Ardea, a city belonging to the Rutulians. The Roman army lay encamped beneath the walls unable to take it by force. While the king's sons feasted with their cousin Collatinus, a dispute arose about wives' virtue. They mounted horses to visit homes unexpectedly during the night. In Rome they found the king's daughters at a splendid banquet. Later that same night they reached Collatia where Lucretia spun among her handmaids. Her beauty and virtue fired evil passions in Sextus Tarquinius. A few days later he returned to Collatia under guise of hospitality. In the dead of night he entered her chamber with a drawn sword. He threatened to kill her and a slave if she refused him. He claimed he would place their bodies together to defend honor. Soon after sending messages to her husband and father Spurius Lucretius Tricipitinus, she killed herself.
Roman tradition states Sextus fled to Gabii seeking safe haven after the assault. He was killed there as revenge for his past actions against the town. The revolt began in Rome led by Lucius Junius Brutus. This man was both friend and cousin to Lucretia's husband. Brutus overthrew the monarchy of Lucius Tarquinius Superbus. His actions brought about the beginning of the Roman Republic. Brutus became the first consul with Collatinus serving as his colleague. The incident transformed political structures across the Italian peninsula. No single event had previously triggered such a complete regime change. The story served as foundational myth for republican governance.
Titian created Tarquin and Lucretia in 1571 capturing the moment of assault. Rubens painted Tarquinius and Lucretia in 1610 now held by the Hermitage Museum. Tintoretto produced a version around 1578 depicting the violent encounter. Joos Van Cleve illustrated Suicide of Lucretia between 1520 and 1525. Rembrandt van Rijn completed his Lucretia painting in 1664 displayed at NGA 83. These works visualize the story across different artistic movements and eras. Each artist interpreted the emotional weight differently according to their style. Titian emphasized dramatic tension while Rembrandt focused on psychological depth. The paintings became cultural touchstones for discussions about virtue and power.
Art historians trace how these images influenced later depictions of the subject.
William Shakespeare wrote The Rape of Lucrece as a narrative poem lasting two hours recitation time. He alludes to Tarquin in multiple plays including Macbeth and Cymbeline. In Cymbeline Act 2 Scene 2 Iachimo compares himself to Tarquin entering Imogen's bedchamber. Macbeth references Tarquin as a trope of stealth during his dagger soliloquy. Julius Caesar features Brutus reflecting on ancestors driving Tarquin from Rome streets. Thomas Babington Macaulay included false Sextus in Lays of Ancient Rome alongside Lars Porsena. Benjamin Britten composed an opera titled The Rape of Lucretia in 1946. These literary works kept the story alive through centuries of cultural
transmission. Writers used the figure to explore themes of betrayal and justice.
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Common questions
Who was Sextus Tarquinius and what was his family background?
Sextus Tarquinius was one of the sons of Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, the last king of Rome. Historical records indicate his family held Etruscan descent.
How did Sextus Tarquinius deceive the town of Gabii?
King Tarquinius Superbus sent Sextus to pretend he defected from his father's army. This young prince became a general within the enemy ranks and allowed his father to seize the town without further bloodshed.
What happened when Sextus Tarquinius visited Lucretia in Collatia?
In the dead of night he entered her chamber with a drawn sword and threatened to kill her and a slave if she refused him. Soon after sending messages to her husband and father Spurius Lucretius Tricipitinus, she killed herself.
When did Roman tradition state that Sextus Tarquinius died?
Roman tradition states Sextus fled to Gabii seeking safe haven after the assault. He was killed there as revenge for his past actions against the town.
Which artists created paintings depicting Tarquin and Lucretia between 1520 and 1664?
Joos Van Cleve illustrated Suicide of Lucretia between 1520 and 1525 while Titian created Tarquin and Lucretia in 1571. Rubens painted Tarquinius and Lucretia in 1610 now held by the Hermitage Museum and Rembrandt van Rijn completed his Lucretia painting in 1664 displayed at NGA 83.
How did William Shakespeare reference Sextus Tarquinius in his works?
William Shakespeare wrote The Rape of Lucrece as a narrative poem lasting two hours recitation time. He alludes to Tarquin in multiple plays including Macbeth and Cymbeline where Iachimo compares himself to Tarquin entering Imogen's bedchamber.