THE MURDER OF TARQUIN

Romans made slaves of war prisoners. A captive woman in Tarquin's house gave birth to a boy. Tanaquil saw a flame hover over the baby's head without harming him—a sign of greatness. She adopted him and named him Servius Tullius. When he grew up, he married Tanaquil's daughter, angering the sons of Ancus Martius. The princes feared Servius would inherit the throne, so they hired a murderer who struck Tarquin with a hatchet. As the assassin fled, Tanaquil kept her presence of mind. She told the senate Tarquin was only ill and wished Servius to govern until he recovered. No one knew the king was dead. The princes fled. Servius ruled for a month and governed so wisely that when Romans learned the truth, they elected him the sixth king.