Final answer:
Lucretius had held power before Tarquinius Superbus, as Tarquin the Proud was the last king before the establishment of the Roman Republic.
Step-by-step explanation:
From the provided information, we learn about Lucretius that he had held power before Tarquinius Superbus, as Tarquin the Proud was the final king of Rome whose son's actions led to a rebellion that ousted the monarchy and birthed the Republic. This detail about Lucretius' timeframe of rule is essential to understanding the transition from the Roman Kingdom to the Roman Republic, emphasizing the Roman commitment to the rule of law and their resistance to tyranny.