an ancient city of Etruria, on the left bank of the Marta, about 4 miles from the Mediterranean. Ancient traditions represent it as one of the oldest towns in the country, and some of them as the parent and head of the twelve cities that formed the Etruscan League. The story of the family of the Tarquins, which derived its name from this city, and gave two kings to Rome, is well known. Long afterwards, in 398 B.C., while the Romans were at war with the Veii, they were attacked by the Tarquinians, who seem from this time to have been frequently united with the other Etruscan cities against Rome. War was carried on with varying success and some intermissions till 351, when a truce for forty years was agreed upon. After its expiry, hostilities were again for a short time renewed; but in 309 another truce was concluded, in the course of which Tarquinii seems to have gradually become subject to Rome. It continued to be a flourishing town under the Empire, and after its fall, until it was destroyed by the Saracens. Extensive remains of the ancient Tarquinii, with tombs containing various remnants of Etruscan art, have been discovered in the vicinity of the modern town of Corneto.