This painting by Bernaert de Ryckere shows the death of Lucretia, wife of Lucius Tarquinius Collatinus. This famous Roman matron committed suicide after having been raped by Sextus Tarquinius, the wicked son of Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, the king of Rome. After Lucretia's suicide, there was a revolt against the king and he was deposed; this was the beginning of the Roman Republic. Collatinus, together with his friend Lucius Junius Brutus, became the first consuls of the new Republic.
You can also find more myths and legends for the week of January 22-28 here. For more information and links to the actual javascript code, see the Myths & Legends Widget Reference Page.
