Appius Claudius
(Appius Claudius Crassus)
d. 452 BC |
In 452 the senate of Rome agreed to appoint a commission of ten men to write down a code of laws. Appius Claudius led the commission, and they assumed office in 451. After making some progress in writing the "twelve tablets" that define the principles of Roman law, they requested an extension of their office, and started abusing their power. A crisis was precipitated when Appius Claudius tried to force the daughter of a plebeian named Virginius into slavery, prompting her father to kill her. This caused a popular uprising against the decemvirs and they were forced to resign. Appius Claudius is thought to have committed suicide in prison.
>Key events during the life of Appius Claudius:
| Decemvirs are installed in office; they write the twelve tablets. | |
| Claudia abuses Virginia and causes uprising against decemvirs. | |
| Decemvirs forced to resign, Appius Claudius dies in prison. |
Other Resources
| Decemvirs and Virginia in | Stories From Livy by Alfred J. Church |
| New Laws in | The Story of the Romans by H. A. Guerber |
| Hated Decemvirs in | The Story of Rome by Mary Macgregor |
| Sacrifice of Virginia in | Historical Tales: Roman by Charles Morris |
Image Links | ||
|---|---|---|
 The death of Virginia in Stories From Livy |
 Appius Claudius in the Senate, Maccari in Famous Men of Rome |
 The Appian Way (Restored) in Greatest Nations - Rome |
Verginius left his beautiful young daughter Verginia in the care of her nurse. in The Story of Rome |
 The Sacrafice of Virginia in Historical Tales: Roman |
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| Virginia | Heroine slain by her father to rescue her from slavery and dishonor. |
| Lucius Virginius | Virginia’s father, who tried to rescue her. |
| Icilius | Virginia’s fiancé, who tried to rescue her. |
| Marcus Claudius | Clansman of Appius, helped him scheme to enslave Virginia. |