Junius Brutus

(Lucius Junius Brutus)

d. 509 BC

BRUTUS CONDEMNING HIS SONS TO DEATH, LEITHIERE

Junius Brutus was a nephew of the evil king Tarquin Superbus. Tarquin killed his brother, but spared Brutus because Brutus pretended to act like a dullard. When his wife, Lucretia, was assaulted by the son of Tarquin, Brutus vowed vengeance, and drove the whole family of Tarquins out of Rome. When he found his own sons were allied with the Tarquins, he had them executed as traitors. He was elected one of the first consuls of Rome, and died in battle.

Key events during the life of Junius Brutus:

Year	Event
	Brother murdered by Tarquin Superbus.
	Accompanies sons of Tarquin to Oracle.
510 BC	Vows to avenge Lucretia.
509 BC	First consul of Rome.
509 BC	Condemns sons to death for treason.
509 BC	Kills Aruns, son of Tarquin; then dies in battle.

Other Resources

Story Links	Book Links
Brutus  in	Stories From Livy  by  Alfred J. Church
Life and Death Struggle  in	Stories from Ancient Rome  by  Alfred J. Church
Why the Romans Bore Pain  in	Tales of the Romans: The Children's Plutarch  by  F. J. Gould
Stern Father  in	The Story of the Romans  by  H. A. Guerber
Junius Brutus  in	Famous Men of Rome  by  John H. Haaren & A. B. Poland
Sons of Brutus  in	The Story of Rome  by  Mary Macgregor
Story of Lucretia  in	Historical Tales: Roman  by  Charles Morris

Image Links
Brutus condemning his sons to death  in Stories From Livy	Brutus condemning his sons to death, Lethiere  in Famous Men of Rome	Brutus Refusing Mercy to his Sons  in Greatest Nations - Rome
Brutus Ordering the Execution of His Sons  in Historical Tales: Roman

Contemporary	Short Biography
Publicola	Consul of Rome during the wars with Porsena.
Lucretia	Virtuous Maiden, killed herself after assault by son of Tarquin Superbus.
Titus Junius	Son of Brutus, plotter against republic.
Tiberus Junius	Son of Brutus, plotter against republic.