Tarquinian conspiracy

A coup, led by Lucius Junius Brutus, resulted in the expulsion of the royal family.

The Roman Republic was established, and consuls were elected to govern the city on an annual basis.

In secret, while the Roman senate debated the request, the ambassadors sought supporters of the monarchy in Rome to form a conspiracy to re-admit the royal family to the city.

[2] However, a slave of the Vitelii, having witnessed a meeting of the conspirators at his master's house (which Plutarch claims involved a horrific oath by human sacrifice and cannibalism[citation needed]), alerted the consuls who immediately seized the ambassadors and the conspirators without great tumult.

[8] The slave who had revealed the conspiracy was granted his freedom and status as a Roman citizen, and was also awarded a sum of money as reward.