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Tarpeian Rock
So called from Tarpeia, a vestal virgin, the daughter of
Spurius Tarpeius, governor of the citadel on the Capitoline Hill.
Tarpeia agreed to open the gates to the Sabines if they would give her
“what they wore on their arms” (meaning their bracelets). The Sabines,
“keeping their promise to the ear,” crushed her to death with their
shields, and she was buried in that part of the hill called the
Tarpeian Rock. Subsequently, traitors were cast down this rock and so
killed.
“Bear him to the rock Tarpeian, and from thence Into destruction cast
him.” Shakespeare: Coriolanus, iii. 1
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894 More on Tarpeian Rock from Infoplease:
- Tarpeian Rock: meaning and definitions - Tarpeian Rock: Definition and Pronunciation
- Tarpeian Rock - Tarpeian Rock So called from Tarpeia, a vestal virgin, the daughter of Spurius Tarpeius, governor ...
- Tarpeia - Tarpeia Tarpeia , in Roman legend, a Roman woman who betrayed her city to the Sabines for what they ...
- Capitoline Hill - Capitoline Hill Capitoline Hill or Capitol,highest of the seven hills of ancient Rome, historic and ...
- Manlius - Manlius Manlius , ancient Roman gens, chiefly patrician but later containing plebeian families. ...
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