About
People who were considered traitors and criminals in the early Roman Empire were hurled from this rock to their deaths.
On the southern slope of the Capitoline Hill, directly above the Roman Forum, lies a sheer rock known as Tarpeian Rock. It used as a location for executions for many years. Criminally guilty individuals were hurled from the 80-foot (25-meter) cliff's edge down to the Forum below. This manner of execution was shameful and seen as a destiny worse than death. Treason, murder, and perjury were crimes that were specifically earmarked for it as a penalty. Legend has it that Tarpeia, the Roman general Spurius Tarpeius's daughter, betrayed Rome by welcoming the Sabine ruler Titus Tatius into the city. Following the Sabine Rapes in the eighth century B.C., Tatius launched an assault against Rome. The enemy king corrupted Tarpeia, who developed a craving for riches and precious stones. Despite the fact that she assisted the Sabines, they buried her on what came to be known as the Tarpeian Rock and smashed her with their shields. Soon after, it was used as a place where traitors were put to death.
