Terpeia's Reward

The Romans knew no greater tale of treachery then that of the maiden Tarpeia. Her father was the keeper of the citadel of Rome and possessed the key to the city gate. This was a very important job espessially in time of war and it just so happened that the Romans were engaged in a war with the Sabines, who were laying siege to Rome. One day as Tarpeia went to draw water from the well which was in sight of the Sabine camp, she saw that the enemy warriors wore magnifacent bracelets on their left arms. Now Tarpeia was a very greedy girl and she desired these bracelets more then anything, so much that she sent word to the Sabine soldiers asking what she could do to obtain them. They replied that the only thing that she could do was open the gate and allow them entrance into the city. Tarpeia knew this would be treason but she valued jewelry more then loyalty to her country. She informed the enemy that she would open the gates if they gave her all that the wore on their left arms. So the night of her crime she slipped down to the gate and unlocked it. In came the dark masses of enemy troops. As she looked with selfish eyes upon their left arms she saw to her surprise there was no gold, no jewelry, but a huge brass shield. As she attempted to escape they began to hurl their shields upon her and soon she was crushed to death beneath them. And thus Tarpeia got her reward