he wished to attach to him, so that by foreign influence also
he might be more secure among his own subjects; and he contracted not
only ties of hospitality but affinities also with their leading men. To
Octavius Mamilius of Tusculum he gives his daughter in marriage; (he was
by far the most eminent of the Latin name, being descended, if we
believe tradition, from Ulysses and the goddess Circe, and by this match
he attaches to himself his numerous kinsmen and friends).

50. The influence of Tarquin among the chief men of the Latins was now
considerable, when he issues an order that they should assemble on a
certain day at the grove of Ferentina; that there was business about
which he wished to confer with them touching their common interest. They
assemble in great numbers at the break of day. Tarquinius himself
observed the day indeed, but he came a little before sun-set. Many
matters were there canvassed in the meeting in various conversations.
Turnus Herdonius, from Aricia, inveighed violently against Tarquin for
his absence. "That it was no wonder the cognomen of Proud was given him
at Rome;" for they now called him so secretly and in whispers, but still
generally. "Could anything be more proud than thus to trifle with the
entire nation of the Latins? After their chiefs had been called at so
great a distance from home, that he who summoned the meeting did not
attend; that no doubt their patience was tried, in order that if they
submitted to the yoke, he may crush them when at his mercy. For to whom
did it not plainly appear that he was aiming at sovereignty over the
Latins? But if his own countrymen did well in intrusting it to him, or
if it was intrusted, and not seized on by means of murder, that the
Latins also ought to intrust him (though not even so, inasmuch as he was
a foreigner). But if his own subjects are dissatisfied with him, (seeing
that they are butchered one upon another, driven into exile, and
deprived of their property,) what better prospects are held out to the
Latins? If they follow his advice, that they would depart thence, each
to his own home, and take no more notice of the day of meeting than the
person who appointed it." When this man, turbulent and daring, and one
who had attained influence at home by these means, was pressing these
and other observations having the same tendency, Tarquin came in. This
put a conclusion to his harangue. All turned away from him to salute
Tarquin, who, on silen