This started with the very beginning of his reign by not recognising the right of the people to vote their king. Over the years he gradually reduced the people's voice through both trials without assessors and refusing to consult or even keep the numbers of the Senate.
It was this oppression which resulted in the fall of the monarchy, when the Roman people finally rose against the king in the revolution that led the Republic. In fact, Tarquin's oppression was so severe that throughout the duration of the Republic, the word for king, rex, was almost banned from society. If one even spoke of kings in a positive light, they faced trial. This continued into the late republic, as seen when Tiberius Gracchus rose to power, people accused him of wanting to become king, and he was executed soon after the protection of being the people's Tribune wore off.
Tiberius Gracchus and his brother Gaius Gracchus |
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