Though the Romans were pagan people, and there were many atrocities and horrors committed by them, you will sometimes find a remnant of morality and right in their midst. This story touched me, and I hope it is a challenge to you:
While the decemvirs had control in Rome Appius Claudius desired a certain girl, the only daughter of Lucius Verginius, who was betrothed to Lucius Icilius. His attempts to seduce her with money and promises failed, so he succeeded in attempting to prove that she was a slave of one of his companions and must be kept in custody by him. When Icilius heard the ruling:
Then a lictor called out that, judgment having been given, the case was over, and tried to shove Icilius, despite his loud protests, out of the way. Even the mildest of men would have been enraged at such an insult. Icilius turned on Appius. ‘Get rid of me?’ he cried; ‘only naked steel will do that – if you are to get away with your loathsome secret, and no one be the wiser. I am to marry this girl, and I mean to have a virgin for my bride. Call every lictor in the city – let them get out their rods and axes – I refuse to let my promised wife pass the night away from her father’s house. You have made slaves of us all – you have robbed the people of their right to appeal and of the protection of their tribunes; but that does not mean you have the lordship of your lusts over our wives and children. Fulfill your savage pleasure on our backs and necks; at least our chastity shall be safe from you: assault that, and I will call upon every man in Rome to defend my bride – Verginius will raise the army on behalf of his only daughter – all of us will move heaven and earth to help us, and never shall you get away with the infamous judgment you have given unless you kill us. I conjure you, Appius, to think seriously where you are going. Verginius can decide what to do about his daughter when he comes; but I wish him to know that, if he yields to this fellow’s claim, he will have to look for another son-in-law. For my part, in defense of my bride’s freedom, I will die sooner than betray her.’
