Virginia
d. 451 BC |
Virginia was the daughter of the plebeian Lucius Virginius, an army officer. She had the misfortune to be desired by Appius Claudius, the chief of the ten corrupt decemvirs, who held power in Rome in 451 B.C. Appius tried to acquire her by treachery and deceit, but her father, who had tried all other possible ways of releasing her from the tyrant's grasp, killed her, rather than allow her to fall into his hands. This violence caused great outrage against the Decemvirs, resulting in their overthrow.
Key events during the life of virginia:
| Appius Claudius abuses his power in pursuit of Virginia, resulting in her death, and overthrow of decemvirs. |
Other Resources
| Decemvirs and Virginia in | Stories From Livy by Alfred J. Church |
| Death of Virginia 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 |
 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 |
| Evil law giver who usurped power, then attempted to enslave Virginia. | |
| Lucius Virginius | Virginia’s father, who tried to rescue her. |
| Icilius | Virginia’s fiancé, who tried to rescue her. |