THE MAIDENS CARRIED OFF

Rome had plenty of men but few women. Neighboring girls refused to marry such lawless men. Romulus invited everyone to games in honor of a god. When the games were underway, Romans seized the young women and carried them off. Families rushed home for weapons, but Rome's gates were closed. The captives were forced to marry their captors. War with the Sabines lasted three years. Finally the Sabines bribed Tarpeia, the vain gatekeeper's daughter, to open the citadel gates. She asked for what they wore on their left arms—meaning gold armlets. As each warrior entered, he threw his heavy bronze shield at her instead. Tarpeia was crushed to death. The cliff where she fell became the Tarpeian Rock, where criminals were hurled to their deaths.