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The Lictors Bring Home the Sons of Brutus by Jacques-Louis David (1784)

Brutus is a tragedy written by French playwright Voltaire in the early 18th century and produced in 1730. The play revolves around the semi-legendary Tarquinian conspiracy of ancient Rome in 509 BC where monarchist supporters attempted to reinstate the monarchy via a violent coup less than a year after the expulsion of the Tarquin royal family. Brutus dramatizes the fledgling stages of the conspiracy where the sons of current consul Junius Brutus, Tiberius and Titus, betray their father and the new Roman Republic in order to acquire power. Although there is mention of Tiberius in dialogue, he makes no formal appearance.

Characters

The head of this bust from the Capitoline Museums is traditionally identified as a portrait of Brutus.

• Junius Brutus - Consul
• Valerius Publicola - Consul
• Titus - Son of Brutus
• Tullia - Daughter of Tarquin
• Algina - Confidante of Tullia
• Aruns - Ambassador from Porsenna
• Messala - Friend of Titus
• Proculus - A military Tribune
• Albinus - Confidant of Aruns
• Senators - Senators
• Lictors - Lictors

Critical response

Author of the play, Voltaire