The Sabine Women

The invitation said it was for ALL, especially the ladies.  Everyone was invited to the Roman Festival. Even the Sabines came.  They were eager to see Rome and the celebrated festivities.  Everyone wore their finest.

Romulus was proud of the city he founded.  He invited all the surrounding regions around Rome.  As the villages walked down the street waving to the cheering crowd, then the Romans sprang their plot.  The Roman youth broke out and seized the virgins, especially the beautiful Sabine girls.

This story comes from Livy, The History of Rome, Bk 1, CH 9.

Another story about the Sabine Women is told. The episode of the rape caused a war between Rome and the Sabine men.  Since many of the women were now married and mothers of Roman babies they were caught in the middle.  Their husbands found their fathers and brothers.  The Sabine women intervened and the fighting stopped.

The rape and war has been the subject of many works of art.  It is quite a story.