The Rape of the Sabine Women

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On March 1, 752 BC, Romulus, the first king of Rome, celebrated the first Roman triumph after his victory over the Caeninenses, following the Rape of the Sabine Women. From the article:

"According to scholars and historians, the sad event of rape and abduction of the Sabine women took place just a few days after the foundation of Rome in the 8th century BC. The alleged crime was committed by Romulus, the first King and founder of Rome, and his male followers.

The Romans planned the abduction of Sabine women from the neighboring towns in an effort to populate their city with more women who would wed the men and ensure the legacy of the strong city by giving birth to a new generation of strong men.

The events that took place remain controversial to this day as historians contest the original motives of Romulus and his men.

The Abduction
The famous Roman historian Titus Livius, known as “Livy”, recounts the incident in his famous historical book “Ab Urbe Condita”, translated to “from the founding of the City”. Livy describes Rome during that period as a stable and strong city, capable of defending itself against any army. However, the strength derived from the increasing male bandits populating the city also posed a threat to the continuation of the mighty city as it had few female inhabitants.

Romulus grew concerned about the subsequent birth to death rates and began negotiations with neighboring areas to convince them of marrying their women to Roman men. The negotiations were unsuccessful with all the tribes and cities they appealed to. The Sabines, in particular, declined as they feared the growing strength and might of the new Roman city.

Romulus and his followers then plotted to abduct Sabine women and force them to wed Roman men during the festival of Neptune Equester. They also organized a few games to attract people from Rome’s neighboring cities, including Sabine, Caenina, and Antemnae. When the festival was in full swing, Romulus gave the signal to his men and they immediately abducted the Sabine women — overpowering the Sabine men. The historian Livy counts as many as thirty women to have been kidnapped and raped by the Romans on that day, all of whom are said to be virgins, except Hersilia, who later became Romulus’ wife and played an important part in ending the subsequent conflicts.

Aftermath
Enraged by this horrible crime committed by Romulus and his men, the armies of the betrayed surrounding cities and towns attacked the Roman territory. The king of Caenina marched with his troops to the outskirts of Rome. They were met by the Roman army. However, they were defeated following the killing of their King in 752 BC.

Romulus and his men celebrated a second victory in the same year when the Antemnates actively invaded Roman land in retaliation for the events that took place during the festival of Neptune. They were also defeated and Antemnae fell and was seized by the armies of Romulus. Roman colonists were dispatched to the captured towns and some were moved to the Roman capital.

King Titus Tatius of Sabine, declared war on the Romans and attacked Rome. King Titus and his troops managed to capture the citadel on Capitoline Hill after the treason of Tarpeia, the daughter of a Roman governor. Tarpeia opened the city gates for the Sabine troops but lost her life in the siege. The Roman army led by Hostus Hostilius, a nobleman of Ancient Rome, quickly marched on the citadel but was defeated by Mettus Curtius of Sabine in a battle where Hostus lost his life. King Romulus then rallied his troops and led them back to the citadel in person and defeated Mettus Curtius.

The Bravery and Courage of Sabine Women

The conflict between the Sabines and the Romans remained alive for some time but it appeared that Romulus and his troops were on the verge of victory. However, the Sabine women themselves, led by Romulus’ wife and daughter of king Titus, put themselves between both armies and demanded that both parties lay down their arms.

The women are said to have thrown themselves amidst the swords and spears, along with their children, in a desperate attempt to save their fathers and brothers, as well as, their new husbands. Historians tell us that the women felt guilt over the bloodshed that started in their names and wanted to live neither fatherless nor widowed.

Thanks to the courageous intervention of the Sabine women, the war came to an end in a historical alliance between the two parties. The Romans and the Sabines agreed to unite under a single nation, and Rome was jointly ruled by both King Romulus and King Titus Tatius until the latter passed after five years. The Romans agreed that the Sabines keep Capitoline Hill to inhabit.

Final Thoughts
The rape of the Sabine women marks a very significant event in the history of the Roman empire, as it occurred to ensure the survival of the city of Rome, and played a crucial role in the Roman-Sabine alliance. The courageous acts displayed by the Sabine women set a precedent in history, where the initially weakened women eventually found the strength to face their abductors, as well as, their furious families, in order to end the war.

The incident is referenced numerous times throughout history and it inspired various artworks by legendary artists like Pablo Picasso, Poussin, and Giambologna."