The historians' history of the world in twenty-five volumes, volume 05 : $b the Roman Republic
History
The historians' history of the world in twenty-five volumes, volume 05 : $b the Roman Republic
World history
Romulus, in order that he might afford a favourable time and place for
this, dissembling his resentment, purposely prepares games in honour of
Neptunus Equestris; he calls them Consualia. He then orders the spectacle
to be proclaimed amongst their neighbours; and they prepare for the
celebration with all the magnificence they were then acquainted with,
or were capable of doing, that they might render the matter famous,
and an object of expectation. Great numbers assembled, from a desire
also of seeing the new city; especially their nearest neighbours, the
Cæninenses, Crustumini, and Antemnates. Moreover the whole multitude of
the Sabines came, with their wives and children. Having been hospitably
invited to the different houses, when they had seen the situation, and
fortifications, and the city crowded with houses, they became astonished
that the Roman power had increased so rapidly. When the time of the
spectacle came on, and while their minds and eyes were intent upon it,
according to concert a tumult began, and upon a signal given the Roman
youth ran different ways to carry off the virgins by force.
A great number were carried off at haphazard, according as they fell
into their hands. Persons from the common people, who had been charged
with the task, conveyed to their houses some women of surpassing beauty,
destined for the leading senators. They say that one, far distinguished
beyond the others for stature and beauty, was carried off by the party of
one Talassius, and whilst many inquired to whom they were carrying her,
they cried out every now and then, in order that no one might molest her,
that she was being taken to Talassius; that from this circumstance this
term became a nuptial one.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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