description Lucretia Overview
Lucretia is a legendary figure from ancient Roman history and mythology whose fate played a pivotal role in the transition of Rome from a monarchy to a republic. According to historical traditions recorded by historians like Livy, she was a noblewoman who was sexually assaulted by Sextus Tarquinius, the son of the tyrannical Etruscan king. Her subsequent suicide provoked a rebellion led by Lucius Junius Brutus in 509 BC, resulting in the expulsion of the Roman kings and the establishment of the Roman Republic.
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Who was Lucretia in Roman tradition?
Lucretia was a noblewoman whose rape and death became a turning point in the traditional history of Rome. The story was recorded by authors including Livy and became linked to the overthrow of the Roman monarchy.
How did Lucretia's death affect Rome?
According to the traditional account, her family and allies used the outrage to rally opposition against the ruling Tarquins. This rebellion led to the establishment of the Roman Republic, traditionally dated to 509 BCE.
Who assaulted Lucretia?
The tradition says that Sextus Tarquinius, son of Rome's king Tarquinius Superbus, assaulted her. Lucretia then told her family what had happened before taking her own life.
Is Lucretia a historical or mythical figure?
She belongs to Rome's legendary early history, and the surviving accounts were written long after the events they describe. Her story nevertheless had a major influence on Roman political memory and later European art and literature.
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