Page "Servius Tullius" Paragraph 3

Servius was a popular king, and one of Rome's most significant benefactors.

He had military successes against Veii and the Etruscans, and expanded the city to include the Quirinal, Viminal and Esquiline hills.

He is credited with the institution of the Compitalia festivals, the building of temples to Fortuna and Diana, and the invention of Rome's first true coinage.

Despite the opposition of Rome's patricians, he expanded the Roman franchise and improved the lot and fortune of Rome's lowest classes of citizens and non-citizens.

According to Livy, he reigned for 44 years, until murdered by his treacherous daughter Tullia and son-in-law Tarquinius Superbus.

In consequence of this " tragic crime " and his hubristic arrogance as king, Tarquinius was eventually removed.

This cleared the way for the abolition of Rome's monarchy and the founding of the Roman Republic, whose groundwork had already been laid by Servius ' reforms.