also being stained and sprinkled with
it; through whose vengeance results corresponding to the wicked
commencement of the reign were soon to follow. Tullius reigned
forty-four years in such a manner that a competition with him would
prove difficult even for a good and moderate successor. But this also
has been an accession to his glory, that with him perished all just and
legitimate reigns. This authority, so mild and so moderate, yet, because
it was vested in one, some say that he had it in contemplation to
resign,[60] had not the wickedness of his family interfered with him
whilst meditating the liberation of his country.

[Footnote 60: _To resign_. Niebuhr is of opinion that what is said
regarding the Commentaries of Servius Tullius, chap. 60, has reference
to this.]

49. After this period Tarquin began his reign, whose actions procured
him the surname of the Proud, for he refused his father-in-law burial,
alleging, that even Romulus died without sepulture. He put to death the
principal senators, whom he suspected of having been in the interest of
Servius. Then, conscious that the precedent of obtaining the crown by
evil means might be adopted from him against himself, he surrounded his
person with armed men, for he had no claim to the kingdom except force,
inasmuch as he reigned without either the order of the people or the
sanction of the senate. To this was added (the fact) that, as he reposed
no hope in the affection of his subjects, he found it necessary to
secure his kingdom by terror; and in order to strike this into the
greater number, he took cognizance of capital cases solely by himself
without assessors; and under that pretext he had it in his power to put
to death, banish, or fine, not only those who were suspected or hated,
but those also from whom he could obtain nothing else but plunder. The
number of the fathers more especially being thus diminished, he
determined to elect none into the senate, in order that the order might
become contemptible by their very paucity, and that they might feel the
less resentment at no business being transacted by them. For he was the
first king who violated the custom derived from his predecessors of
consulting the senate on all subjects; he administered the public
business by domestic counsels. War, peace, treaties, alliances, he
contracted and dissolved with whomsoever he pleased, without the
sanction of the people and senate. The nation of the Latins in
particular