THE DEATH OF LUCRETIA
The idle suggestion that had made Sextus and Collatinus ride from the
camp to Rome and Collatia led to terrible disaster.
Sextus, having seen how wise and beautiful Lucretia was, wished to win
her from her husband; and one day, leaving the camp, he again rode to
Collatia, but this time he rode alone.
Lucretia, believing the prince was her husband’s friend, received him
with fitting hospitality when he arrived at her house, hot and tired
after his ride. But when she found that he was not a true friend to
Collatinus she was no longer kind. Then the prince grew angry, and
treated Lucretia so cruelly that she knew she could never again be
happy.
The next day she clad herself in black, and sent messengers to her
father and her husband, bidding them come to Collatia with all possible
speed.
When they arrived, she told them how Sextus had treated her, and making
them swear to avenge her wrongs, she plunged a dagger into her heart
and died.
Brutus, the king’s nephew, had ridden from the camp with Collatinus,
and he, too, swore to avenge Lucretia, and to see that never more
should any of the race of Tarquin sit upon the throne of Rome.
This oath was also taken by the husband and father of Lucretia, as well
as by two brave Romans named Publius Valerius and Spurius Lucretius.
The dead body of the Roman matron was carried to the market-place, and
when the people were told what had happened, they broke out into loud
cries, and mourned for her sad fate.
Brutus then hastened to Rome to tell the terrible tale. In the Forum,
amid the assembled people, his voice rang out clear and fearless as he
reminded them of the crimes of Tarquin the Proud, and denounced the
king and his son Sextus.
‘Will you suffer such a tyrant or any of his race to rule longer over
you, O Romans?’ demanded Brutus sternly. And the people in a storm of
indignation shouted ‘No.’
The Romans were in earnest. An army was at once enrolled, and, led by
Brutus, set out to attack the king at Ardea.
Tullia, the queen, meanwhile, startled by the tumult in the Forum, fled
from the palace. As her chariot drove along the streets the people
muttered curses, calling down upon her the vengeance of her murdered
father.
Rumours had already reached the camp that Rome was in revolt, and
Tarquin at once marched to the city with a division of his army to
punish the rebels.
Brutus, on his way to Ardea, took care to avoid the king. He had
determined to win over the army that was left before the besieged town.
When he reached the camp, he quickly roused the soldiers by the tale of
Lucretia’s wrongs.
They swore never again to own Tarquin or any of his race as king, and
at once prepared to march to Rome.
Meanwhile, the king had reached the city only to find the gates closed,
and the citizens, stern and resolute, manning the walls. No threats, no
promises would make them open to the king whom they had determined to
dethrone.
Tarquin, knowing that if he lingered he would have to face the army led
by Brutus, turned away from the city and hastened to seek refuge in
Etruria.
The Romans, having thus expelled their king, appointed a day to be
celebrated as the Feast of Flight, or the Feast of the Expulsion of the
Kings. This feast was held each year on the 24th February.