THE MYSTERIOUS BOOKS

Tullia drove her chariot to see her husband's triumph. When the driver stopped because Servius's body lay in the street, she ordered him to drive over it. She arrived at the senate splashed with her father's blood. The street was called "Wicked Street" forever after. When asked about burial, Tarquin said: "Romulus did without a funeral; Servius needs none." The cruel king forced the poor to build a temple to Jupiter. Digging the foundation, they found a preserved skull—the augurs said it meant this place would be the "head" (caput) of the world, naming the Capitol. The Sibyl of Cumae offered Tarquin nine prophetic books for 300 gold pieces. He refused; she burned three and offered six for the same price. He refused again; she burned three more. Finally he bought the last three. Priests guarded them in the Capitol, consulting them in crises.