As per tradition, Romulus is credited with the founding of Rome in the 8th century B.C. Livy, the Roman historian, chronicled the rapid strength and defensive prowess of the burgeoning city, successfully fending off neighboring tribes residing outside its borders. Despite this external resilience, Rome, at this juncture, grappled with an internal threat. Romulus’ followers were predominantly male, as he had provided refuge to a disparate assembly of misfits and outcasts from other cities.
Whilst the population of Rome increased immediately, there was a shortage of women in the new settlement. As a result, it seemed that Rome’s greatness was destined to last only for a generation, as these pioneers would not have children to carry on their legacy.
‘The Intervention of the Sabine Women’ by Jacques-Louis David, 1799 ( Public domain )
Initially, the Romans sought to form alliances with and requested the right of marriage from their neighbors. The emissaries sent to the neighboring tribes, however, failed in their mission, as Rome’s neighbors were not bothered with entertaining her requests. Some were even afraid that Rome’s growing power would become a threat to them and their descendants. As a result, Romulus decided to take more drastic actions in order to secure the future of his city.
Famous statue in Florence depicting the abduction of the women of Sabine by Giambologna ( Public domain )
Romulus seized a golden opportunity during the festivities of the Consualia, a celebration reportedly initiated by Romulus himself, as documented by the ancient writer Plutarch. Legend has it that Romulus stumbled upon an underground altar dedicated to Consus, a deity associated with counsel or the Equestrian Neptune. In commemoration of this discovery, Romulus instituted the Consualia—a day replete with sacrificial rites, public spectacles, and games. The grand announcement of the festival reached neighboring territories, attracting a multitude to Rome. Among the attendees were the Sabines, an entire tribe, men, women, and children, as recounted by Livy.
Romulus oversees the abduction of the Sabine women ( Public domain )
As per Plutarch’s account, Romulus devised a covert signal for the men of Rome, marked by the dramatic act of rising, gathering his cloak, and draping it over his form. At this cue, the Romans were to swiftly seize the Sabine maidens and spirit them away. Plutarch notes that the abductions were intended exclusively for virgins, although one exception, Hersilia, a married woman, was regarded as an unintended occurrence. Contrary to mere lust, some historians posit that the abduction of the Sabines was a strategic move driven by the ambition to forge a formidable alliance with them.
Some depictions of the abduction event depict the Sabine women as being willing participants. ‘The Rape of the Sabines: The Invasion’ by Charles Christian Nahl ( Public domain )
Rather than fostering an alliance, the Romans found themselves embroiled in a conflict with the Sabines, who were understandably incensed by the forceful abduction of their women. Following the defeat of the Sabines’ allies, the Romans directly clashed with the Sabines. However, by this juncture, the Sabine women, now resigned to their roles as wives of the Romans, were deeply troubled by the escalating conflict between the two factions.
In a poignant moment during one of the battles, the Sabine women positioned themselves between the Roman and Sabine armies, beseeching their husbands on one side and imploring fathers and brothers on the other to cease hostilities. According to Livy, the Sabine women shouldered the blame for the war, expressing a preference to die rather than witness bloodshed within their extended families. Touched by their impassioned plea, the Romans and Sabines negotiated a peace treaty, ultimately uniting the two peoples under the leadership of Rome and fortifying the city’s foundations.