John Ilg

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The Rape of the Sabines

The Rape of the Sabines, 2003 oil pastel on paper, 26" h x 40" w

The Rape of the Sabines | Media List

The Rape of the Sabines, 2003 oil pastel on paper, 26" h x 40" w

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The Rape* of the Sabine Women is an episode in the legendary history of Rome in which the first generation of Roman men acquired wives for themselves from the neighboring Sabine families. Recounted by Livyand Plutarch (Parallel Lives II, 15 and19), it provided a subject for several Renaissance and post-Renaissance works of art that combined a suitably inspiring example of the hardihood and courage of ancient Romans with the opportunity to depict multiple figures, including heroically semi-nude figures, in intensely passionate struggle.

The Rape is supposed to have occurred in the early history of Rome, shortly after its founding by Romulus and his mostly male followers. Seeking wives in order to found families, the Romans negotiated unsuccessfully with the Sabines, who populated the area. Fearing the emergence of a rival society, the Sabines refused to allow their women to marry the Romans; consequently, the Romans planned to abduct Sabine women. Romulus devised a festival of Neptune Equester and proclaimed the festival amongst Rome's neighbors. According to Livy, many people from Rome's neighbors attended, including many of the Sabines. At the festival, Romulus gave a signal, at which the Romans grabbed the Sabine women and fought off the Sabine men. The indignant abductees were soon implored by Romulus to accept Roman husbands.

Livy is clear that no sexual assault took place. On the contrary, Romulus offered them free choice and promised civic and property rights to women. According to Livy he spoke to them each in person, "and pointed out to them that it was all owing to the pride of their parents in denying the right of intermarriage to their neighbors. They would live in honorable wedlock, and share all their property and civil rights, and — dearest of all to human nature — would be the mothers of free men."

* The English word "rape" is a conventional translation of Latin raptio, which in this context means abduction rather than its prevalent modern meaning.

Adapted from Wikipedia

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