Brutus: or, The Fall of Tarquin

play by Payne

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June 22, 2026

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"Brutus: or, The Fall of Tarquin" is a play by American playwright and actor John Howard Payne. The play, first produced in 1818, was a significant success and remained in the repertoire for seventy years, serving as a vehicle for prominent tragedians of the 19th century.1

The play's subject matter draws from the legendary founding of the Roman Republic. Lucius Junius Brutus is credited with overthrowing the last Roman king, Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, in 509 BCE and establishing the Republic. This historical figure is known for his commitment to the new republic, even condemning his own sons to death when they conspired to restore the monarchy. The play likely explores themes of tyranny, liberty, and the sacrifices made for the greater good of Rome, echoing the historical Brutus's actions and the principles he represented.23

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John Howard Payne
The finest play Payne authored, Brutus: or, The Fall of Tarquin, was produced at Drury Lane on Dec. 3, 1818. Brutus persisted for 70 years, serving as a vehicle for three of the greatest tragedians of the 19th century: Edwin Booth, Edwin Forrest, and Edmund Kean. Other important plays were…
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The finest play Payne authored, Brutus: or, The Fall of Tarquin, was produced at Drury Lane on Dec. 3, 1818. Brutus persisted for 70 years, serving as a vehicle for three of the greatest tragedians of the 19th century: Edwin Booth, Edwin Forrest, and Edmund Kean. Other important plays were…
Read More