As the workmen were digging, in order to lay a good foundation, they found a human head. This was a sign, so said those who knew, that the spot on which the head had been buried should become the chief place of worship in Rome. The temple, when it was finished, was named the Capitol, and in days to come it was indeed looked upon as the most sacred building in the city. Although Tarquinius was but a usurper, yet he did all that he could to improve the kingdom over which he ruled. He ordered great drains to be built, that the marshy valleys between the hills of Rome might become healthier. He also built a large circus and a racecourse, to encourage the games of the people, and in course of time the Roman games became famous. In the valley between the Capitoline hill and the Palatine hill the king then began to build the Forum, or market-place. Round the Forum he set up booths, where the trades-folk might carry on their business. Meanwhile, the subjects of Rome had become so numerous, that the king wished to increase the three tribes into which Romulus had divided his people. But a skilful augur, named Attius, forbade Tarquinius to alter what Romulus had consecrated with rites sacred to the gods. The king could ill brook interference, and he mocked at the augur’s words in the Forum, where the people had assembled. Then, thinking to show that Attius was not really as wise as he was believed to be, he cried: ‘Tell me, O Attius, can the thing of which I am thinking at this moment come to pass?’ The augur, undisturbed by the mockery of the king, consulted the sacred birds. Yes, the omens were good. The thought in the mind of the king could be put into action. Tarquinius pointed to a whetstone which lay before him, and said: ‘Can you then cut this whetstone in twain with a razor?’ Undismayed, Attius at once seized a razor, and with one stroke the stone was split in two. Then the king was afraid, and dared not disregard the wisdom of the augur. So the number of tribes ordained by Romulus was left unchanged. But Tarquinius doubled the nobles in each tribe, and also increased the companies of knights. CHAPTER XVI A SLAVE BECOMES A KING Among the slaves of the king was a young boy named Servius Tullius. One day the lad fell fast asleep in the doorway of the palace. As he slept, it chanced that Tanaquil, the queen, came out to walk in the palace grounds. When she saw Servius she would have roused him, save that a flame of fire was playing around his head, yet doing him no hurt. But the attendants of the queen also saw this strange sight, and at once rushed off in search of water with which to put out the flame. Tanaquil, however, called to them to return, saying: ‘Leave the lad to sleep. The flame will not injure him.’ Then, hastening back to the palace, she told the king what she had seen, adding: ‘The gods have appointed Servius to great honour.’