1. Myths and Values Part II

2. The Rape of Lucretia the contest: Etruscan princes and Collatinus were drinking, and each claimed their wives were superior to the others’. Etruscan princes and Collatinus were drinking, and each claimed their wives were superior to the others’. “The evening shadows were lengthening when they came upon the royal princesses feasting and frolicking with their friends. Then they sped off to Collatia: though the evening was late, they found Lucretia still in the main hall of her home, bent over her spinning and surrounded by her maids as they worked by lamplight. Lucretia was the clear winner of the contest. She graciously welcomed her husband and the Tarquins as they approached. …When Sextus Tarquin set eyes upon her he was seized by the evil desire to debauch her, spurred on as he was by her beauty and redoubtable chastity.” (Livy 1.57) “The evening shadows were lengthening when they came upon the royal princesses feasting and frolicking with their friends. Then they sped off to Collatia: though the evening was late, they found Lucretia still in the main hall of her home, bent over her spinning and surrounded by her maids as they worked by lamplight. Lucretia was the clear winner of the contest. She graciously welcomed her husband and the Tarquins as they approached. …When Sextus Tarquin set eyes upon her he was seized by the evil desire to debauch her, spurred on as he was by her beauty and redoubtable chastity.” (Livy 1.57)

3. The rape “When he saw she was resolute and would not yield even out of fear for her life, he threatened to disgrace her even in death by placing the naked body of a murdered slave next to her corpse, evidence that she had been killed in the act of committing adultery of the basest sort. When by this threat his lust vanquished her resolute chastity, he left the house exulting in his seeming conquest of the woman’s honour. “When he saw she was resolute and would not yield even out of fear for her life, he threatened to disgrace her even in death by placing the naked body of a murdered slave next to her corpse, evidence that she had been killed in the act of committing adultery of the basest sort. When by this threat his lust vanquished her resolute chastity, he left the house exulting in his seeming conquest of the woman’s honour.

4. Lucretia’s resolve Lucretia, stricken to the heart at the disgrace, sent the same messenger to her father in Rome and husband in Ardea: each was to come with one trustworthy friend; …a terrible ting had happened…(they arrived and found her very upset)..”What can be right when a woman’s virtue has been taken from her? The impress of another man is in your bed, Collatinus; yet only my body was defiled; my soul is not guilty. Death with be my witness to this. But pledge …that the adulterer will not go unpunished. Sextus Tarquin did this, a guest who betrayed his host, …(they) tried to comfort the..woman..there is no guilt when intent is absent. ‘It is up to you’, she said, ‘to punish the man as he deserves. As for me, I absolve myself of wrong, but not from punishment. Let no unchaste woman herafter continue to live because of the precedent of Lucretia,’ She took a knife..and drove it into her breast. (Livy 1.58) Lucretia, stricken to the heart at the disgrace, sent the same messenger to her father in Rome and husband in Ardea: each was to come with one trustworthy friend; …a terrible ting had happened…(they arrived and found her very upset)..”What can be right when a woman’s virtue has been taken from her? The impress of another man is in your bed, Collatinus; yet only my body was defiled; my soul is not guilty. Death with be my witness to this. But pledge …that the adulterer will not go unpunished. Sextus Tarquin did this, a guest who betrayed his host, …(they) tried to comfort the..woman..there is no guilt when intent is absent. ‘It is up to you’, she said, ‘to punish the man as he deserves. As for me, I absolve myself of wrong, but not from punishment. Let no unchaste woman herafter continue to live because of the precedent of Lucretia,’ She took a knife..and drove it into her breast. (Livy 1.58)

5. The function of the story Real Rape – a crime against the honour of a woman’s male relatives Real Rape – a crime against the honour of a woman’s male relatives Lucretia, wife of Collatinus, Lucretia, wife of Collatinus, Sextus Tarquinius, son of last Roman king Tarquinius Superbus (kinsman of Collatinus) Sextus Tarquinius, son of last Roman king Tarquinius Superbus (kinsman of Collatinus) Story demonstrates central values associated with the role of females in the family: the ‘ideal’ daughter and wife, behaviour and obligations expected of her Story demonstrates central values associated with the role of females in the family: the ‘ideal’ daughter and wife, behaviour and obligations expected of her

6. The function of the Lucretia story Lucretia an exempla (an example) demonstrating most important quality expected of the ‘ideal’ Roman wife: pudicitia = chastity and sexual fidelity Lucretia an exempla (an example) demonstrating most important quality expected of the ‘ideal’ Roman wife: pudicitia = chastity and sexual fidelity A woman was expected to be aware that her actions reflected on the reputation of her male relatives – A woman was expected to be aware that her actions reflected on the reputation of her male relatives – To be found in bed with a slave - would have brought shame to her husband and her paternal family. To be found in bed with a slave - would have brought shame to her husband and her paternal family. Lucretia represents the ultimate example of a good wife. She sacrifices herself, so that no other Roman woman who committed adultery could claim that she was actually raped and blameless. Lucretia represents the ultimate example of a good wife. She sacrifices herself, so that no other Roman woman who committed adultery could claim that she was actually raped and blameless. Although Romans did not blame the woman when raped, the story clearly implies that it is the woman’s role to avoid bringing shame to her male kin at any cost. Although Romans did not blame the woman when raped, the story clearly implies that it is the woman’s role to avoid bringing shame to her male kin at any cost.

7. Lucretia and the Etruscan cliché Etruscans considered by Greeks and Romans as decadent and immoral. Etruscans considered by Greeks and Romans as decadent and immoral. Greeks of Classical Period especially Athenians shared similar ideology with the Romans about women, male-female roles and marriage Greeks of Classical Period especially Athenians shared similar ideology with the Romans about women, male-female roles and marriage Etruscans also linked to tyranny (last king Tarquin the Proud was Etruscan) Etruscans also linked to tyranny (last king Tarquin the Proud was Etruscan) End of monarchy associated with liberation oppressive monarchy End of monarchy associated with liberation oppressive monarchy

8. Theopompus, Greek historian (4 th century B.C.) “…Etruscans were extraordinarily pleasure- loving, …slave girls wait on the men naked….normal for Etruscans to share their women …..Etruscans raise all their children born…, not knowing who the father is of each one. ….have many drinking parties,… make love with all the women…no shame for Etruscans to be seen having sexual experiences……etc.,” “…Etruscans were extraordinarily pleasure- loving, …slave girls wait on the men naked….normal for Etruscans to share their women …..Etruscans raise all their children born…, not knowing who the father is of each one. ….have many drinking parties,… make love with all the women…no shame for Etruscans to be seen having sexual experiences……etc.,”

9. Etruscan couple at banquet

10. Banquet Scene

11. The role of women in the legends of early Rome The role of women in the legends of early Rome Many stories link women to crucial events in Rome’s history: women have an important role in public narrative as instruments of political alliances or political change Many stories link women to crucial events in Rome’s history: women have an important role in public narrative as instruments of political alliances or political change Legend of the Sabine Women - alliance between Romans and their next-door neighbors allowed the young state to continue; women were central to the survival of the family, and, by extension, of the state. Legend of the Sabine Women - alliance between Romans and their next-door neighbors allowed the young state to continue; women were central to the survival of the family, and, by extension, of the state. Legend of Lucretia - linked to a revolution instigated by her kinsmen and ends with expulsion of last king Tarquinius Superbus and the establishment of the Roman Republic Legend of Lucretia - linked to a revolution instigated by her kinsmen and ends with expulsion of last king Tarquinius Superbus and the establishment of the Roman Republic

12. The nature of the Traditional stories from Rome’s early history Not factual accounts, but how Romans of later periods viewed their past; Not factual accounts, but how Romans of later periods viewed their past; Stories are anachronistic - they reflect not so much values 6 th to 4 th centuries of the city but values of later periods shared by Livy’s own contemporaries. Stories are anachronistic - they reflect not so much values 6 th to 4 th centuries of the city but values of later periods shared by Livy’s own contemporaries. Stories are also an illustration of how the Roman themselves envisioned the history of their state. Stories are also an illustration of how the Roman themselves envisioned the history of their state.

13. Traditional stories as exempla (examples) Early history of Rome filled with examples (exempla) of good and bad conduct: Lucretia’s sense of pudicitia represents the ideal behaviour every respectable young woman should follow. Early history of Rome filled with examples (exempla) of good and bad conduct: Lucretia’s sense of pudicitia represents the ideal behaviour every respectable young woman should follow. Young Tarquin represents an example of un-Roman behaviour and its subsequent consequences. Young Tarquin represents an example of un-Roman behaviour and its subsequent consequences. Stories convey ideals and values associated with the Roman state, patriotism, and central Roman institutions such as marriage, the family, role of females and the social hierarchy; Stories convey ideals and values associated with the Roman state, patriotism, and central Roman institutions such as marriage, the family, role of females and the social hierarchy; Convey important ideals; Convey important ideals; Examples of good behaviour and bad behaviour and consequences. Examples of good behaviour and bad behaviour and consequences. Didactic function (serve to educate about important values) – told to children Didactic function (serve to educate about important values) – told to children Note: By Livy’s time these stories represent the developed tradition – shaped over centuries – Note: By Livy’s time these stories represent the developed tradition – shaped over centuries –