is own men. The camp was now filled
with indignation, and it was being determined that Siccius should be
forthwith brought to Rome, had not the decemvirs hastened to perform a
military funeral for him at the public expense. He was buried amid the
great grief of the soldiery, and with the worst possible reputation of
the decemvirs among the common people.

44. Another atrocious deed follows in the city, originating in lust,
attended with results not less tragical than that deed which drove the
Tarquins from the city and the throne through the injured chastity and
violent death of Lucretia: so that the decemvirs not only had the same
end as the kings had, but the same cause also of losing their power.
Appius Claudius was seized with a criminal passion for violating the
person of a young woman of plebeian condition. Lucius Virginius, the
girl's father, held an honourable rank among the centurions at Algidum,
a man of exemplary good conduct both at home and in the service. His
wife had been educated in a similar manner, as also were their children.
He had betrothed his daughter to Lucius Icilius, who had been a tribune,
a man of spirit and of approved zeal in the interest of the people. This
young woman, in the bloom of youth, distinguished for beauty, Appius,
burning with desire, attempted to seduce by bribes and promises; and
when he perceived that all the avenues (to the possession of her) were
barred by modesty, he turned his thoughts to cruel and tyrannical
violence. He instructed a dependent of his, Marcus Claudius, to claim
the girl as his slave, and not to yield to those who might demand her
interim retention of liberty; considering that, because the girl's
father was absent, there was an opportunity for committing the injury.
The tool of the decemvir's lust laid hands on the girl as she was coming
into the forum (for there in the sheds the literary schools were held);
calling her "the daughter of his slave and a slave herself," he
commanded her to follow him; that he would force her away if she
demurred. The girl being stupified with terror, a crowd collects at the
cries of the girl's nurse, who besought the protection of the citizens.
The popular names of her father, Virginius, and of her spouse, Icilius,
are in the mouths of every one. Their regard for them gains over their
acquaintances, whilst the heinousness of the proceeding gains over the
crowd. She was now safe from violence, when the claimant says, "that
t