Servius Tullius Run Over by Tullia, 535 BC

Rights Managed

SS2872396

JG8487

Servius Tullius was the legendary sixth king of Rome, and the second of its Etruscan dynasty. He reigned 575-535 BC. He is said to have been the first Roman king to accede without election by the Senate, having gained the throne by popular support; and the first to be elected by the Senate alone, without reference to the people. He was a popular king, and one of Rome's most significant benefactors. He had military successes against Veii and the Etruscans, and expanded the city to include the Quirinal, Viminal and Esquiline hills. He expanded the Roman franchise and improved the lot and fortune of Rome's lowest classes of citizens and non-citizens. According to Livy, he reigned for 44 years, until murdered by his daughter Tullia and son-in-law Tarquinius Superbus who threw him down the steps of the senate house where he was murdered in the street by Tarquin's men. Soon after, Tullia drove her chariot over her father's body. Tarquinius was eventually removed and this cleared the way for the abolition of Rome's monarchy and the founding of the Roman Republic, whose groundwork had already been laid by Servius' reforms. Etching by J. Le Pautre.

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