Titus Livius, Ab Urbe Condita 3.44.5–9

Acting on Appius Claudius's orders, his client Marcus Claudius seizes Verginia in the forum claiming her as a slave, drawing an outraged crowd and summoning her to court.

 

Tier 1

Appius Claudius dedit officium clienti suo, Marco Claudio. Necesse erat Marco Claudio virginem in servitutem abducere neque sinere secundum libertatem postulantibus tempus arguendo. Quia Appius Claudius putavit locum iniuriae esse dum pater puellae aberat.

Marcus Claudius cepit Verginiam venientem in forum, nam in foro ludi literarum erant. Marcus Claudius dixit Verginiam esse servam suam et natam a serva sua, deinde iubebat Verginiam se sequi: et si Verginia moratur, Marcus eam vi facturum esse promisit.

Perterrita puella stupente, turba fit ad clamorem nutricis. Nutrix Verginiae fidem civium implorabant. Cives nomina patris Vergini et sponsi Icili celebrant. Gratia Vergini et Icili amicos attrahunt, sed indignitas rei turbam attrahit.

Cum Marcus Claudius dixerit se pergere iure, non vi, et Verginiam tutam esse, turba excitata non necesse fuit. Marcus Claudius puellam vocavit in ius (to court).

Written by Robert Amstutz

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