d LUCIUS TARQUINIUS SUPERBUS.

Under the first of these kings were built the fine temple of JUPITER
CAPITOLINUS, on the Capitoline Hill, and near by shrines to JUNO and
MINERVA. This temple to Jupiter was called the CAPITOLIUM, and from
it we get our word CAPITOL. It was looked upon as the centre of Roman
religion and authority, and at times the Senate was convened in it.

During this reign the famous CLOACA MAXIMA, or great sewer intended to
drain the Campagna, is also said to have been constructed. This sewer
was so well built that it is still used.

Under the second king of this dynasty, Servius Tullius, the city was
surrounded with a wall, which included the Palatine, Quirinal, Coelian,
and Aventine hills, and also the Janiculum, which was on the opposite
side of the river, and connected with the city by a bridge (_pons
sublicius_).

The establishment of the new military organization, mentioned in the
previous chapter, was attributed also to this king.

The pupil will notice the similarity between these reforms of Tullius
and those of Solon of Athens, who lived about the same time. Thus early
was the Greek influence felt at Rome.

During the reign of Tullius a temple in honor of DIANA was erected on
the Aventine, to be used by all the Latin towns.

Tarquinius Superbus added to the AGER ROMANUS the territory of the city
of GABII, and planted two military colonies, which were afterwards lost.
The dynasty of the Tarquins ended with the overthrow of this king, and a
Republic was established, which lasted until the death of Julius Caesar.

CHAPTER VI. THE CONSULS AND TRIBUNES.

At the close of the dynasty of the Tarquins, the regal form of
government was abolished, and instead of one king who held office for
life, two officers, called CONSULS, were elected annually from the
PATRICIANS, each of whom possessed supreme power, and acted as a
salutary check upon the other; so that neither was likely to abuse his
power. This change took place towards the close of the sixth century
before Christ.

In times of great emergency a person called DICTATOR might be appointed
by one of the Consuls, who should have supreme authority; but his tenure
of office never exceeded six months, and he must be a patrician. He
exercised his authority only outside of the city walls. It was at
this time, about 500, that the COMITIA CENTURIATA came to be the more
important assembly, superseding in a great measure the COMITIA CURIATA