3-011-881 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Tarpeian Rock, Rome, 1864. Engraving from a sketch by M. Mariani. 'This locality of sinister recollections is now only frequented by washer-women, who peacefully spread out their linen to dry on the spot where, as recorded by Titus Livius and other early historians, numbers of more or less celebrated Romans met with a traitor's death by being precipitated from the Tarpeian Rock...The topographical disposition of the spot scarcely induces the visitor to imagine that he is standing upon the rock itself...[It] is partly covered by some old houses which prevent it from being seen from the gardens above. These houses replace the high wall that formerly surmounted the rock. As regards the name given to this famous rock...in the year 746 b.c...the unfortunate Tarpeia was buried in the mountain, which has ever since borne the name of the Tarpeian Rock, and which became, afterwards, the spot whence traitors to their country were hurled to destruction. The incline that crosses the lane has been formed by rubbish thrown during several ages from the summit of the rock, which thus appears to have diminished greatly, more than forty feet of detritus having been at different times deposited at its base'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.