Xenocrita of Cumae deserves no less to be admired for her exploits
against Aristodemus the tyrant, whom some have supposed to be surnamed
the Effeminate, being ignorant of the true story. He was called by the
barbarians Malakos (that is soft and effeminate) with regard merely to
his youth; because, when he was a mere stripling, with other companions
of the same age who wore long hair (whence they were called Coronistae,
as it seems from their long hair), he became famous in the war against
the barbarians. He was also not only renowned for resolution and
activity, but very exceedingly remarkable for his discretion and
providence; insomuch that being admired by the citizens he proceeded
to the highest dominion among them. He was to bring aid to the Romans
when they were in war with the Etrurians, who engaged to restore
Tarquinius Superbus to his kingdom; in all which expedition, that was
very long, he managed all affairs so as to ingratiate himself with the
military part of the citizens, aiming more at the making himself head
of a popular faction than general of the army. He accordingly prevails
with them to join with him in attacking the senate, and in casting out
the citizens of highest rank and most potent into exile. Afterwards
becoming tyrant, he was flagitious in his carriage towards women and
free-born youth, and exceeded even himself in vileness. For history
reports of him how that he accustomed the boys to wear their hair
long and set with golden ornaments, and the girls he compelled to be
polled round, and to wear youths’ jerkins and short-tailed petticoats.
Notwithstanding, he had a peculiar affection for Xenocrita, a girl of
Cumae, left behind by her exiled father. Her he kept, but could not
bring over to his humor by any insinuations or persuasions, neither had
he gained her father’s consent; however, he reckoned the maid would be
brought to love him by constant conversation with him, since she would
be envied and reputed very happy by the citizens. But these things did
not at all besot the maid; but she took it heinously that she must be
constrained to dwell with him, not espoused or married. Neither did she
less long for the liberty of her native country than did those who were
hated by the tyrant.
It happened about that time that Aristodemus was casting up an
entrenchment about the borders of Cumae, a work neither necessary nor
profitable, only because he was resolved to tire out the citizens with
hard toil and labor; for every one was required to carry out a stinted
number of baskets of earth daily, in order to the delving this ditch.
A certain maid, as she saw Aristodemus approaching, ran aside and
covered her face with her apron; but when Aristodemus was withdrawn,
the young men would sport and jest with her, asking her whether out
of modesty she avoided only the sight of Aristodemus and was not so
affected towards other men. She made answer designedly, rather than
otherwise, that of the Cumaeans Aristodemus was the only man. This
sentence thus spoken verily touched them all very near, for it provoked
the generous-minded men among them for very shame to the recovering
of their liberties. And it is said that Xenocrita was heard to say,
that she had rather carry earth for her father, if he were at home,
than participate in the great luxury and pomp of Aristodemus. These
things added courage to them that were about to make an insurrection
against Aristodemus, which Thymoteles had the chief management of;
for Xenocrita providing them safe admittance, they easily rushed in
upon Aristodemus, unarmed and unguarded, and slew him. In this manner
the city of Cumae gained its liberty, by the virtue of two women; one
by suggesting and invigorating the enterprise, the other by bringing
it to an issue. When honors and great presents were tendered to
Xenocrita, she refused all; but requested one thing, that she might
bury the corpse of Aristodemus. This they delivered her, and made her a
priestess of Ceres; reckoning that, as it was a deserved honor bestowed
on her, so she would be no less acceptable to the Goddess.