Sextus Tarquinius was the son of the last legendary king of Rome, L. Tarquinius Superbus (Tarquin the Proud). He is mostly known for his rape of Lucretia, wife of Collatinus. After an argument at night around the fire, Tarquinius and his men decided to go and spy on their wives to see which one was the most superior. So they ride off in the night and, upon arriving at the door of Collatinus' house, they see Lucretia behaving like a good Roman matron, unlike the other women they have seen. A few days afterwards, Tarquinius returns with the intention of sleeping with Lucretia, but she refuses. When he threatens to kill her and put a dead slave in her bed with her, thus giving the impression that she had been unchaste, she finally gives in. Soon after, Lucretia sends a message to her father and her husband, telling them everything, then kills herself. The revolt brought about by her husband's friend, Lucius Junius Brutus, brought to an end the kingship of Tarquin the Proud and brought about the beginning of the Roman Republic, Brutus becoming the first consul. Tarquinius fled to Gabii, where he made himself king, but he was eventually killed in revenge for his actions. Lucius Tarquinius Superbus (also called Tarquin the Proud or Tarquin II) was the last of the seven legendary kings of Rome, son of Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, and son-in-law of Servius Tullius. ... Death of Lucretia by Sandro Botticelli Lucretia is a legendary figure in the history of the Roman Republic. ... Lucretia Lucretia is a mythical figure in the history of the Roman Republic. ... Lucretia Lucretia is a mythical figure in the history of the Roman Republic. ... Death of Lucretia by Sandro Botticelli Lucretia is a legendary figure in the history of the Roman Republic. ... Lucius Iunius Brutus Lucius Junius Brutus was the founder of the Roman Republic and traditionally one of the first Consuls in 509 BC. Prior to the establishment of the Roman Republic, Rome had been ruled by kings. ... See also Roman Republic (18th century) and Roman Republic (19th century). ... Gabii was an ancient city of Latium, between 12 and 13 miles East of Rome, on the Via Praenestina, which was in early times known as the Via Gabina. ...

Reference

Livy, Ab Urbe Condita (From the Founding of the City), 1.58. Pages 98 - 104 A portrait of Titus Livius made long after his death. ...