When the news of these proceedings reached the camp, the king, alarmed at the
turn affairs were taking, hurried to
Rome to quell the outbreak. Brutus, who was on the same road, had become aware
of his approach, and to avoid meeting him took another route, so that he reached Ardea and
Tarquin Rome almost at the same time, though by different ways. Tarquin found the gates
shut, and a decree of banishment passed against him; the Liberator of the City received a
joyous welcome in the camp, and the king's sons were expelled from it. Two of them
followed their father, into exile amongst the Etruscans in Caere. Sextus Tarquin proceeded
to Gabii, which he looked upon as his kingdom, but was killed in revenge for the old feuds
he had kindled by his rapine and murders.
Lucius Tarquinius Superbus reigned twenty-five years. The whole duration of the
regal government from the foundation of the City to its liberation was two hundred and
forty-four years. Two consuls were then elected in the assembly of centuries by the prefect
of the City, in accordance with the regulations of Servius Tullius. They were Lucius Junius
Brutus and Lucius Tarquinius Collatinus.
Book 2
BOOK II
THE EARLY YEARS OF THE REPUBLIC
Ch. 1
