The injury done to Lucretia and her great virtue were the causes of
banishing Tarquinius Superbus, the seventh Roman king from Romulus,
she being married to an illustrious man, one of the royal race. She
was ravished by one of Tarquin’s sons, who was in a way of hospitality
entertained by her: and after she had acquainted her friends and
family with the abuse offered her, she immediately slew herself.
Tarquinius having fallen from his dominion, after many battles that he
fought in attempting to regain his kingly government, at last prevailed
with Porsena, prince of the Etrurians, to encamp against Rome with
a powerful army. Whereupon the Romans, being pressed with war and
famine at the same time, likewise knowing that Porsena was not only
a great soldier but a just and civil person, resolved to refer the
matters against Tarquinius to him as a judge. This proposal Tarquinius
obstinately refused to consent unto, saying that Porsena could not be a
just arbitrator if he did not remain constant to his military alliance.
Whereupon Porsena left him to himself, and made it his endeavor to
depart a friend to the Romans, on condition of having restored to
him the tracts of land they had cut off from the Etrurians and the
captives they had taken. Upon these accepted conditions hostages being
given,—ten male children, and ten females (among whom was Valeria, the
daughter of Publicola the consul),—he immediately ceased his warlike
preparations before the articles of agreement were quite finished. Now
the virgin hostages going down to the river, as if they intended only
to wash themselves a little further than ordinary from the camp, there,
by the instigation of one of them whose name was Cloelia, wrapping
their garments about their heads, they cast themselves into that great
river Tiber, and assisting one another, swam through those vast depths
with much labor and difficulty. There are some who say that Cloelia
compassing a horse got upon him, and passing over gently before, the
rest swimming after her, conducted, encouraged, and assisted them; the
argument they use for this we shall declare anon.
As soon as the Romans saw the maids had made such a clever escape, they
admired indeed their fortitude and resolution, but did not approve
of their return, not abiding to be worse in their faith than any
one man; therefore they charged the maids to return back, and sent
them away with a safe conduct. Tarquinius laid wait for them as they
passed the river, and wanted but little of intercepting the virgins.
But Valeria with three of her household servants made her flight to
the camp of Porsena; and as for the rest, Aruns, Porsena’s son, gave
them speedy help and delivered them from the enemies. When they were
brought, Porsena looking upon them commanded them to tell him which
of them advised and first attempted this enterprise; all of them
being surprised with fear, except Cloelia, were silent, but she said,
that she was the author of it; at which Porsena, mightily surprised,
commanded an horse curiously adorned with trappings should be brought,
which he gave to Cloelia, and dismissed them all with much generosity
and civility; and this is the ground which many make of saying that
Cloelia passed through the river on horseback. Others deny this story,
but yet say that Porsena admiring the undauntedness and confidence
of the maid, as being beyond what is commonly in a woman, bestowed a
present on her becoming a man champion. It is certain that there is the
statue of a woman on horseback by the side of the Sacred Way, which
some say represents Cloelia, others, Valeria.