Lucius Junius Brutus
Co-founder of the Roman Republic and its first consul (509 BCE). He feigned stupidity (brutus means 'dull') for years at the Tarquin court to survive, then led the aristocratic revolt after the rape of Lucretia. As first consul he condemned his own two sons to death for joining a conspiracy to restore the Tarquins — the supreme expression of Roman civic duty over paternal love. He died in single combat with Arruns Tarquinius.
- Lived: 545 BCE – 509 BCE
- Nationality: roman
- Roles: statesman, military_leader, founder
