Removal of Sabines

See also: Removal of Sabines (homonymy)

The removal of Sabines by the Romans is a mythical episode of the history of the primitive Rome. After having proceeded to the rites of foundation, Romulus gathers a tribe around him: shepherds, robbers, wandering. To fill the lack of women, they remove those their neighbors, the Sabins, which try to begin again to them by the force. The battle is avoided thanks to Sabines which interposes between the warriors, on the battle field.

Sources

According to Tite-Live (Roman History, Delivers I, CH. 9-13) and Plutarque (Life Parallels, Life of Romulus , IX S. ), Romulus, wishing to ensure the force of the primitive Rome for the future generations, sent emissary in the close cities to propose treaties of alliance recognizing the right of marriage. These proposals were disallowed, which wounded the self-esteem of the Romans. Pretending the indifference but wishing to wash the affront, Romulus made organize plays in the honor of Neptune to which the tribes close to Rome were invited, of which the Sabins which arrived as a large crowd. Profiting owing to the fact that the attention of the men was monopolized by the plays, the Romans removed their wives and girls. Sabins turned over in their country by denouncing the violation of the laws of hospitality by the Romans. Sabines, protesting first of all against their removal, ended up being allured by the words of the Romans and accepting their new situation of wives. (Some see in this episode the first known case of Syndrome of Stockholm)

A little later, Sabins attacked Rome to recover their wives. But Sabines, divided between the love for their husbands and that for their fathers, interposed in the battle, being exposed to the blades of the two parts. Sabins and Romains were moved some and ended up concluding a peace treaty.

The myth

The legend reports that Romulus, wanting to get women with his/her companions, had the idea to organize plays in the large circus. During the spectacle, the Romans removed Sabines. An army was raised in response, but Sabines interposed with their new-born babies between the combatants, and the two camps were reconciled. It is generally thought that Sabins were established on Quirinal and Esquilin, and united then with another people installed on the Palatine Hill to form Rome. In 290 av. J. - C., Sabins were subjected by the Roman general Manius Curius Dentatus; in 268 av. J. - C., they are transfered to grant the title of Roman citizens whole share.

In art

This tumultuous episode making it possible to mix warlike antiques and delighted virgins inspired by many artists:

See too

  • Term employed according to the translations: Rape

  • Plutarque, Life of Romulus

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