The Rape of Lucretia Aim: to understand the importance of the rape of Lucretia in bringing down the Tarquins. Starter: Make a list of the ‘noble’ qualities of Lucretia. Next to it write a list of ‘negative’ qualities of Sextus.

The scene is set… The story of the Rape of Lucretia is very much just that- a story. Has been turned into plays and even operas. Based on history but more than likely ‘pimped up’ by Livy to make it more exciting. Task: ‘The players’ On your sheet, write summaries for each ‘character’: Who they are, how they are related to each other and something about their character.

The dreaded deed It is not just the rape of Lucretia that signals the end of the Tarquins, but the reaction. In your book, bullet point the events described by Livy. Sextus returns to Lucretia Threatens her with a knife and blackmails her… Rapes her Lucretia sends for her father and husband

“…each man had his own complaints…” Livy 1.59 Brutus takes the lead in calling for revenge against the Tarquins. He is certainly not alone… Make a chart of all the positive and negative things the Tarquins did for Rome.

PositiveNegative

Plenary Do the Romans choose to act against the Tarquins because of the Rape of Lucretia or other reasons? Existing complaints Rape of Lucretia