509 BC
Rape and suicide of Lucretia
Lucretia, the wife of Collatinus Tarquinius, was raped by the son of Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, king of Rome. She accused the King’s son of the crime and then out of a sense of shame committed suicide, sparking a revolt and the overthrow of the monarchy.
Suicide of Lucretia.
Engraving by Marcantonio Raimondi, 1534, a Renaissance printmaker who systematized engraving in Italy. Many of his engravings were based on original paintings. This one is based on a design by Rafael.
Titus Livius. The History of Rome Books I-8. Translated by D. Spillan. London. HENRY G. BOHN, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN. MDCCCLIII. JOHN CHILDS AND SON, BUNGAY. Project Gutenburg. Release Date: November 6, 2006. [EBook #19725] Pages 65-66.