Lucretia
No contemporary records exist for Lucretia or the events surrounding her death. Roman historian Livy and Greco-Roman historian Dionysius of Halicarnassus wrote about her approximately five hundred years after she supposedly lived. These accounts form the only surviving evidence regarding her existence, the rape by Sextus Tarquinius, and her subsequent suicide. Secondary sources on the establishment of the republic reiterate these basic events, though details vary slightly between historians. The evidence points to a historical woman named Lucretia playing a critical role in the monarchy's downfall. However, specific details remain debatable depending on which writer is consulted. Modern scholars classify Lucretia's narrative as part of Roman mythohistory. Her story provides an explanation for historical change through violence against women.
Lucius Tarquinius Superbus sent his son Sextus Tarquinius on a military errand to Collatia during the siege of Ardea. Sextus arrived at the governor's mansion where he was received with great hospitality. A variant of the story describes a wine party where men debated the virtues of wives. Collatinus proposed riding home to observe his wife while others stayed behind. Upon arrival, they found Lucretia weaving with her maids in silence. Later that night, Tarquin entered her bedroom quietly avoiding sleeping slaves. He identified himself and offered two choices: become his wife or face death alongside a slave. In another version, he returned days later to wash her belly while she lay naked in bed. Tarquin used every argument likely to influence a female heart but failed to sway her devotion. He ultimately raped her despite her threats to life and honor. Dionysius of Halicarnassus sets this year at the beginning of the sixty-eighth Olympiad around 508 BC.
Lucretia dressed in black and went to her father's house in Rome the day after the assault. She cast herself down embracing knees weeping before her father and husband. She asked for vengeance and insisted on summoning witnesses before speaking about the rape. After disclosing the crime, she drew a concealed dagger and stabbed herself in the heart. Her death occurred in her father's arms while women present lamented the tragedy. Brutus happened to be a politically motivated participant who was a candidate for the throne if anything should happen to Superbus. By law he was not a Tarquin because he was a Junius on his father's side. Grasping the bloody dagger, he swore by Mars that he would overthrow the dominion of the Tarquins. He passed the dagger around so each mourner swore the same oath. The revolutionary committee paraded the bloody corpse to the Roman Forum where it remained on display as a reminder of dishonor. Brutus transformed the crowd into an authoritative legislative assembly and began addressing them with noted speeches. They decided on a republican form of government with two consuls replacing the king. A final vote carried the interim constitution ending the monarchy.
Livy's account in Ab Urbe Condita Libri from 25 to 8 BC serves as the earliest surviving full historical treatment. Ovid recounted the story in Book II of his Fasti published in 8 AD concentrating on Tarquin's bold over-reaching character. St. Augustine used Lucretia in The City of God published 426 AD to defend Christian women raped during the sack of Rome. Dante placed her in Limbo reserved for virtuous pagans within Canto IV of the Inferno. Christine de Pizan utilized Lucretia in her City of Ladies defending a woman's sanctity similar to Augustine. Geoffrey Chaucer included her tale in The Legend of Good Women following Livy's storyline closely. John Gower wrote the Tale of the Rape of Lucrece in Book VII of Confessio Amantis. William Shakespeare composed The Rape of Lucrece in 1594 drawing extensively on Ovid's treatment. He also mentioned her in Titus Andronicus, As You Like It, and Twelfth Night. Benjamin Britten premiered an opera titled The Rape of Lucretia at Glyndebourne in 1946. American thrash metal band Megadeth released Rust In Peace in 1990 featuring a song named Lucretia.
Since the Renaissance, artists like Titian, Rembrandt, Dürer, Raphael, Botticelli, and Artemisia Gentileschi have depicted Lucretia's suicide. Most commonly either the moment of rape or Lucretia alone at suicide is shown. Her clothing appears loosened or absent while Tarquin remains clothed in these scenes. The subject formed part of a group showing women from legend who were powerless or escaped by suicide. These works created a counterpoint to subjects known as the Power of Women depicting female violence against men. Hendrick Goltzius produced a series of four engravings including a banquet scene alongside spinning Lucretia. Titian painted life-size images of the rape while Dürer focused on single figure paintings of her suicide. Sandro Botticelli created three scenes covering the rape, Brutus arousing people, and the suicide. Lucas Cranach the Elder and Johannes Moreelse also contributed significant interpretations to this enduring tradition. The story of Esther lay somewhere between these extremes of powerlessness and domination.
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Common questions
Who wrote about Lucretia five hundred years after she lived?
Roman historian Livy and Greco-Roman historian Dionysius of Halicarnassus wrote about her approximately five hundred years after she supposedly lived. These accounts form the only surviving evidence regarding her existence, the rape by Sextus Tarquinius, and her subsequent suicide.
When did the rape of Lucretia occur according to Dionysius of Halicarnassus?
Dionysius of Halicarnassus sets this year at the beginning of the sixty-eighth Olympiad around 508 BC. The event took place during a military errand when Sextus Tarquinius arrived at Collatia.
How did Brutus use Lucretias death to overthrow the monarchy?
Brutus grasped the bloody dagger and swore by Mars that he would overthrow the dominion of the Tarquins. He passed the dagger around so each mourner swore the same oath before transforming the crowd into an authoritative legislative assembly.
What historical period did Livy document in his account of Lucretia?
Livy's account in Ab Urbe Condita Libri from 25 to 8 BC serves as the earliest surviving full historical treatment. Ovid recounted the story in Book II of his Fasti published in 8 AD concentrating on Tarquin's bold over-reaching character.
Which artists depicted Lucretia's suicide after the Renaissance?
Since the Renaissance, artists like Titian, Rembrandt, Dürer, Raphael, Botticelli, and Artemisia Gentileschi have depicted Lucretia's suicide. Hendrick Goltzius produced a series of four engravings including a banquet scene alongside spinning Lucretia.