Tarpēia
Daughter of Sp. Tarpeius, the governor of the Roman citadel on the Saturnian Hill,
afterwards called the Capitoline. She was tempted by the gold on the Sabine bracelets and
collars to open a gate of the fortress to T. Tatius and his Sabines. As they entered, they
threw upon her their shields, and thus crushed her to death. She was buried on the hill, and
her memory was preserved by the name of the Tarpeian Rock, which was given to a part of the
Capitoline (
Livy, i. 11). A legend still exists at Rome to the
effect that Tarpeia still sits in the heart of the hill covered with gold and jewels, and
bound by a spell.