Story Summary
Discover the tragic legend of Lucretia's Honor, the noblewoman whose sacrifice and virtue led to the fall of the Roman monarchy and the birth of the Republic.
During the siege of Ardea, the sons of King Tarquin and their cousin Collatinus debated the virtue of their wives. To settle the matter, they rode to Rome to catch the women unawares. While the royal daughters-in-law were found feasting in luxury, Lucretia, the wife of Collatinus, was discovered late at night spinning wool with her maidservants, the epitome of Roman womanhood. Her beauty and purity ignited a dark obsession in the King's son, Sextus Tarquinius. Days later, Sextus returned alone and entered Lucretia's chambers. He threatened that if she did not submit, he would kill her and a slave, then claim he caught them in adultery—a fate worse than death for a virtuous Roman. Trapped by the threat to her name, Lucretia yielded. Once he fled, she summoned her husband and father, revealed the crime, and demanded they avenge her. Though they offered her comfort, she declared that while her heart was innocent, her body was defiled. To ensure no unchaste woman could ever use her as an excuse to live in shame, she took her own life. Her sacrifice sparked a revolution led by Brutus, which overthrew the monarchy and established the Roman Republic.
The Moral
True honor is rooted in the purity of the soul, and the sacrifice of the innocent can become the catalyst for the downfall of tyranny.
“My body is greatly sullied, but my heart is pure; death shall bear witness to it.”
Fun Fact
The story of Lucretia was so influential that it inspired masterpieces by artists like Shakespeare, Titian, and Rembrandt, and even became a central theme in early feminist literature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of Lucretia's Honor?
The moral is that personal integrity and honor are more valuable than life itself. Lucretia’s sacrifice demonstrates that the suffering of a virtuous person can ignite a collective pursuit of justice and liberty.
Why is the story of Lucretia important to Roman history?
It is the foundational myth of the Roman Republic. Her tragic death served as the catalyst for the uprising that expelled the Tarquin kings, ending the monarchy and leading to the rise of representative government.
Who was the antagonist in the story of Lucretia?
The antagonist was Sextus Tarquinius, the son of the last king of Rome. His pride, lust, and abuse of power represented the perceived corruption and tyranny of the Roman monarchy.
What Roman virtue does Lucretia represent?
Lucretia represents 'Pudicitia,' which encompasses modesty, chastity, and domestic virtue. She was considered the ideal Roman woman for her dedication to her home and her refusal to survive with a tarnished reputation.
Is the story of Lucretia based on a true event?
While historians like Livy record it as history, it is heavily mythologized. It likely blends real cultural memories of the monarchy’s fall with legendary elements designed to emphasize Roman moral values.
How did Lucretia’s death lead to the Roman Republic?
Following her suicide, Lucius Junius Brutus took the bloody dagger and swore an oath to never allow another king in Rome. He led the citizens in a revolt that successfully ousted the royal family.