Photo Credits: Rabax63, TarpejischerFels, CC BY-SA 4.0
Romans were famous for using terrible methods to punish and condemn to death guilty people. Punishable crimes were countless, from the common to the merciless ones such as murder, rape, adultery and much more.
There were several ways to sentence people to death in a cruel way. One of these was using the so-called Tarpeian Rock. The Tarpeian Rock is a cliff located in central Rome, which is 80 ft. high. It is located on the southern side of Capitoline Hill, very close to the Roman Forum. During the Roman Republic times, it has been used as the worst punishment to death since it was the place where traitors, murderers and perjurors found their end.
Why was Tarpeian Rock chosen as an execution site? Check out below and discover its secrets!
The History of Tarpeia
The rock has been named after the Vestal Virgin Tarpeia, daughter of Spurius Tarpeius, the governor of the citadel.
According to the legend, she was guilty and a traitor as she betrayed Romans by opening the gates of the city to the Sabine King Titus Tatius in return for jewels and gold. The Sabines were searching for their revenge over Romans after the Rape of the Sabines of 8th Century b.C. However, she had never had the chance of seeing her new gift as the Sabines killed her right after their entrance in Rome.
Then, they buried her body in the rock that bears her same name still today.
For this reason, being sentenced to death on the Tarpeian Rock was in some way a worse end than common deaths, as it is linked with the idea of shame as well.
Later, around 500 b.C. The seventh king of Rome, Tarquinius Superbus, ordered the removal of the shrines built by Sabines and built a new Temple called Jupiter Capitolinus, that soon became the most important in the Eternal City.
The Tarpeian Rock has been used for executions until the 1st Century: convicts were hurled off the hill.
Know before you go
The Tarpeian Rock is centrally located in Rome: you can easily reach it walking for about 5 minutes from Venice Square or from Capitoline Hill.
Being close to Ancient Rome must see sites, you can match a stop there during your Group Tours Rome.
