Citation

Smith L. J. Fam. Plann. Reprod. Health Care 2013; 39(1): 58-59.

Affiliation

Curator, Tutbury Castle, Tutbury, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Publisher BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/jfprhc-2012-100547

PMID

23296855

Abstract

Rape has meant different things at different times in history. In addition, forced vaginal or anal penetration of an individual with a penis was not necessarily seen as a localised crime, but an event that could cause national outrage and even rebellion.
Roman rape and rebellion

In 509 BC, when Rome was ruled by kings, a nobleman called Lucius Tarquinius Collatinus and his wife Lucretia lived in the king's household. The king at that time was Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, who had a son, Sextus Tarquinius. Sextus deeply desired Lucretia, who rebuffed his attentions; this ended with him forcing himself upon her in a violent act of rape. Lucretia was distressed at bringing dishonour to her husband, who according to Roman law owned her as his personal property, and so she committed suicide. Her body was carried through the streets of Rome, and angry crowds gathered and a great rebellion rose up and banished the king and his family. The leadership void was filled by the founding of the Roman Republic. The raped woman had become a powerful political icon.

Language: en