1.6

Chapter 6: Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, 616–579 BCE

Prīscus Tarquinius: L. Tarquinius Priscus, the first Etruscan ruler of Rome, was supposedly the son of Demaratus of Corinth and probably came from Caere rather than Tarquinii. He established Etruscan families and customs at Rome and the public works attributed to him seem authentic, though there is confusion among the later sources regarding his achievements and those of Tarquinius Superbus (Bird).

numerum senātōrum duplicāvit: Romulus had set the original number of senators as 100 (Brev. 1.2).

circum: the Circus Maximus

lūdōs Rōmānōs: The Roman Games which, together with the Plebeian Games, were the most important games at Rome, lasted from September 5th to the 19th. They were thought to go back to the time of Tarquinius Priscus but their regular celebration dates from 366 BCE. Dedicated to Jupiter, they comprised a banquet in his honor, chariot racing and a ceremonial parade of mounted Equites (Bird).

ad nostram memoriam: "to our time" (Hazzard)

Sabīnōs: the Sabines. Vīcit is in emphatic position (Hazzard).

nōn parum:  = māgnum, "a large part" (Hazzard), as a litotes construction (AG 326.c). sublatum is the perfect passive participle of tollo, "take away."

prīmusque triumphāns urbem intrāvit: A triumph was a solemn procession in which a victorious general entered the city in a chariot drawn by four horses. He was preceded by the captives and spoils taken in war, and was followed by his troops; and, after passing in state along the Via Sacra, ascended the Capitol to offer sacrifice in the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus. The following conditions had to be complied with: (a) The general must have been dictator, consul, or praetor. (b) He must have actually commanded in the battle and commenced it, himself taking the auspices. (c) The battle must have been decisive and ended the campaign. (d) The foes must have been foreigners, and at least 5,000 of them must have been slain (Hazzard).

(2) Mūrōs fēcit: he began to surround the city with a stone wall, a work his successor, Servius Tullius, completed (Hazzard).

cloācās: The Cloaca Maxima is a semicircular tunnel, 14 feet wide, beneath the city. A part of this sewer, about 1,020 feet, is still in existence, and after a lapse of 2,500 years goes on fulfilling its original purpose. Its opening into the Tiber near the Temple of Hercules in the Forum Boarium is still in a good state of preservation (Hazzard).

Capitōlium: The Temple of Jupiter on the Capitoline Hill. Its foundations were laid by Tarquinius Priscus. Its walls were raised by his successor Servius Tullius, and Tarquinius Superbus completed it, although it was not consecrated until the third year after the expulsion of the kings. It consisted of three parts, a nave sacred to Jupiter, and two wings, the right sacred to Minerva and the left to Juno. The magnificence and richness of this temple are almost incredible. It was burned in the time of Sulla, who rebuilt it. After being destroyed several times, it was raised for the last time by Domitian, who made it more grand and magnificent than any of his predecessors (Hazzard).

per Ancī fīliōs: "by the sons of Ancus." Eutropius occasionally substitutes per with the accusative for the ablative or dative of agent (Hazzard).

rēgis eius: "that king," in apposition with Ancī (Hazzard)

cui: dative object of successerat (Hazzard)

ipse: Prīscus Tarquinius