CHAPTER XV
THE FAITHLESS FRIEND
Lucius Tarquinius, to whom the king had entrusted the
care of his children, was a Greek noble possessing great
wealth. His real name was Lucumo, and being driven from
his native town by a tyrant, he had taken refuge in the
town of Tarquinii in Etruria. It was from this town that
he took the name by which he was known in Rome.
But neither Lucumo nor his wife Tanaquil were content to spend their lives in such a sleepy little town as Tarquinii proved to be. So they determined to go to Rome, where, it was said, strangers were ever welcome.
One day, then, the husband and wife set out on their journey. As they drew near to the Janiculum hill, an eagle suddenly swooped down upon the travellers, and seized the cap which Lucumo was wearing. Then, uttering loud screams, the bird flew high in the air, only to return in a few moments to replace the cap on the head of its astonished owner.
Tanaquil seemed pleased with the strange behaviour of the eagle, and assured her husband that it was an augury or sign from the gods that he would rise to honour in the city to which they were going.
King Ancus heard of the wealth and the wisdom of the stranger who had come to Rome, and ere long he sent a messenger to Tarquinius, bidding him attend the king's councils. So wisely did Tarquinius behave that the king soon treated him as a friend.
When Ancus Marcius was dying, he did not fear the future for his children. They would be safe, he believed,
