Claudia (vestal)

Claudia was an ancient Roman Vestal Virgin and the daughter of Appius Claudius Pulcher, consul in 143 BC.[1] As recounted by historians such as Valerius Maximus, she intervened to prevent her father from being attacked by a tribune of the plebs, who attempted to drag him from his chariot during the celebration of his triumph.[2]

The tribune may have intended to prevent Appius Claudius Pulcher from celebrating the triumph, as the triumph had been awarded in a politically unusual way, which had evaded the Tribune's ability to veto.[2][3] Claudia interposed herself between her father and the attacking Tribune, forcing the attack to cease, then accompanied her father up to the capital.[2]

As a Vestal Virgin, she was sacrosanct, and it would have been unthinkable for someone to attack her; thus, she was using her own body to protect her father.[2] Her actions were highly admired, and orators - including Cicero - referred to her as an example of outstanding character.[4]

References

  1. ^ Smith, William. "Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, Vol. 1". Little, Brown, and Company, 1870. Archived from the original on December 5, 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d DiLuzio, Meghan J. (2016-10-11). A Place at the Altar: Priestesses in Republican Rome. Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-1-4008-8303-5.
  3. ^ Wildfang, Robin Lorsch (2006-09-27). Rome's Vestal Virgins. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-134-15166-0.
  4. ^ Lefkowitz, Mary R.; Fant, Maureen B. (2005). Women's Life in Greece and Rome: A Source Book in Translation. JHU Press. ISBN 978-0-8018-8309-5.
  • Valerius Maximus, Factorum at dictorum memorabilium libri V.4.6
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