Sextus Tarquinius

Sexto Tarquinio and Lucrecia in a painting painted by Titian in 1571.

Sextus Tarquinius was a character belonging to Ancient Rome at the time of the monarchy (VI century BC).

Life

He was the son of the last Roman king, Lucius Tarquinius the Proud, and grandson of Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, fifth king of Rome. He raped Lucrecia, wife of his cousin Lucio Tarquinio Colatino, nephew of King Lucio Tarquinio the Proud; this fact caused the suicide of Lucrecia. The depraved behavior of Sextus Tarquinius was the culmination of the discontent of the Roman people and triggered a series of revolts that ended with the end of the monarchy in Rome and the establishment of the Republic. Sextus fled to Gabii, where he wanted to proclaim himself king, but was assassinated.

Artistic representations

The rape and suicide of Lucrecia have been the subject of numerous representations in the plastic arts, including works by Titian, Rembrandt, Dürer, Raphael and Botticelli.