Among the various nations who in early times occupied the Italian
peninsula, the =Latins=, =Sabines= and =Etruscans= were the most
prominent. That among them barter and the forceful abduction of women
was customary, is indicated by the well-known story of the “Rape of the
Sabine Women” by the original settlers of Rome.
As the legend runs Romulus and his band of adventurers, having no women
with them, and too poor to buy some from their neighbors, decided in the
fourth month after the foundation of Rome to get wives by resorting to a
stratagem. Accordingly they invited their Sabine neighbors to partake
with their wives and daughters in the celebration of a festival.
Suspecting nothing, the Sabines came and greatly enjoyed the
entertainments provided for them. But in the middle of the feast the
Romans, far outnumbering the unarmed Sabines, rushed upon their maiden
guests and carried them off by force. To avenge themselves, the Sabines
went to war, in which both parties suffered severely. But the fierce
struggle was brought to an end, when the kidnapped girls flung
themselves between the combatants, imploring their fathers and brothers
to become reconciled, as they would like to stay with their Roman
husbands. Their urgent appeals brought not alone peace, but resulted
even in the confederation of the Sabines and Romans.
It is impossible to say whether this legend rests on actual facts, but
it indicates that the forceful abduction of women was customary in
ancient Italy. Undoubtedly it took many centuries before this drastic
means of securing wives gave way to more peaceful methods. But to remind
people of the intervention by which the women had ended the bloodshed
between Romans and Sabines, the Romans celebrated a festival on the
first of March of each year, called “Matronalia.” It could only be
participated in by women, who went with girdles loose, and on the
occasion received presents from husbands, lovers, and friends.
Laws were also instituted for the protection of women. Woe to those who
dared to hurt their feelings by disorderly acts or insolent language.
They were brought before the blood-judge, who dealt very severely with
such evil-doers.
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