The Rape of the Sabine Women, Flemish Tapestry, late 16th century

Manufacture Des Flandres
Period: 16th century
Style: High Renaissance-Louis XIII
Condition: Excellent

Material: Wool & Silk
Width: 422 cm
Height: 235 cm
Depth: 1 cm (lined with linen fabric)

This tapestry has already been cleaned, restored, and lined in our workshop.

The Rape of the Sabine Women is a legendary episode in Roman history in which the first generation of Roman men acquired women by abducting them from other cities in the region, particularly the Sabines:

The Rape of the Sabine Women is a legendary episode in the founding of Rome;

According to legend, Romulus founded Rome, then killed his brother Remus during a quarrel and became king of the city. Young and mostly adventurous men joined him.

But to grow a city, you need both men and women, but the Romans didn't inspire confidence in the kings of neighboring cities. These kings were very reluctant to marry their daughters to these young foreigners. So Romulus and his companions had an idea. They organized a festival in honor of the god Consus and invited the neighboring peoples.

The Sabines came with their daughters. At Romulus's signal, which consisted of wrapping himself in the folds of his cloak, the Romans captured the young women and drove away their fathers. Then they took the Sabine women as wives. Titus Tatius, king of the Sabines, then declared war on the Romans. The war lasted until the Sabine women intervened between their fathers and the Romans.

Titus Tatius and Romulus then shared the kingship for five years. Upon Titus Tatius's death, he was solemnly buried on the Aventine Hill.