"Tarpeia" Pronounce,Meaning And Examples

"Tarpeia" Meaning

Tarpeia was a legendary figure in Roman mythology. According to myth, Tarpeia was a Vestal Virgin who betrayed her virtue and was transformed into a rock, known as the Tarpeian Rock, as punishment.

In the story, when Romulus and Remus were making war, the Sabines besieged Rome, and the Romans were strongly fortified in the hills of the Capitol. Tarpeia had been instilled with great hatred towards the Sabines, and when the Italians, as they called the invaders, offered her a bounty of gold if she could spy for them from within the Roman encampment, she foolishly agreed. The Romans, expecting deceit from this otherwise sacred priestess, also prepared a trap.

When the Vestal's condition was known to the Sabine women, who heard about it during the Genialia festivities, they are said to have felt affronted that Tarpeia should ask for jewels and gold from those who had claimed equal rights, equality, and procreation. Her payment for betrayal was stones.

Upon learning of her deception, the Romans were infuriated. Enraged by Tarpeia's false betrayal, they crushed her under their shields when they stormed the hill, killing her. According to Livy, Tarpeia was crushed on the rock which then came to bear her name. This particular metamorphosis was extensive – she became the rock itself, a monument to lacking constraint and failure in trust.

"Tarpeia" Examples

Here are 5 usage examples:

Definition

Tarpeia: A legendary figure who cursed the Roman Sabines, according to Roman mythology.

1.

Her action inadvertently brought great suffering upon them.

2.

She's reminiscent of Tarpeia, sacrificing her own safety for power and ultimately meeting an untimely doom.

3.

It was the sort of decision Tarpeia would have thought perfectly defensible at the time.

4.

Many contend that Tarpeia's doom was a result of her mismanagement.

5.

The feelings of anger towards Tarpeia's ancestors by the people of Rome resulted in crimes.