Livy does not speak highly of the few Etruscan women he does discuss. A reason for this portrayal could lie in the artistic representation of Etruscan women in paintings and tombs which reveal that they participated in banquets, reclined on couches with men, and attended public events. It is clear that the women of Etruria enjoyed a more privileged status than was traditional in any of the ancient civilizations (Class Lecture, 2/9/99). This elevated status could have led to Livy's distorted representation of them. His conceptions (or misconceptions) of Etruscan women can further be seen by his portrayal of Tanaquil and Tullia.

Refusing the expectations of Roman culture, Tanaquil is a strong rather than submissive woman. In fact, she is the governing person in her relationship with her husband. In his narrative, Livy gives four instances showing Tanaqui

Another admirable woman for Livy is Cloelia. In trying to make peace, the Romans gave the Etruscans a few hostages. After Mucius (a young aristocrat who attempts to kill the Etruscan king, Porsena) displays an act of valor, Livy informs us that even the women of Rome were inspired. In fact, one of the hostages, Cloelia, is so moved by Mucius's example that she escapes, with a number of other girls, by swimming across the treacherous Tiber River. The Etruscan king becomes furious and demands her return. Although the Romans honor the treaty and send her back to avoid war, eventually, Porsena's anger turns to admiration and publicly praises Cloelia's valor. He evens allows her to take with her a few more hostages. According to Livy, she chooses the young boys, "a choice in accordance with her maiden modesty," (Livy, 2.13) to take with her to Rome. There, the "Romans paid tribute to Cloelia's courage, unprecedented in a woman" (Livy, 2.13) by erecting a statue at the top of the Sacred Way (Livy, 2.13).

Yet another example of Livy's pro-Roman attitude exemplifies itself with Tarpeia, a young girl who allows a party of Sabine soldiers into the Roman fortress. Although Tarpeia, the daughter of the commander of the Roman Citadel, is at fault, Livy does not blame her for permitting the intrusion. Instead, he blames the Sabine king, Tatius, for using "plans... backed by treachery" (Livy, 1.11) and bribery to persuade the innocent girl. Tatius's deceit and manipulation upsets Livy enough for him to show no remorse when commenting on Tatius's assassination: "possibly [Romulus] felt that Tatius deserved what he got" (Livy, 1.14).

Even before Rome was founded (c. 753 BC), it is still easy to notice Livy's high opinion of "Roman women." Although Lavinia lived in c. 1200 BC and is not Roman, she is an ancestor of Romulus, the founder of Rome. For this reason, Livy portrays her as a "[w]oman of great character" (Livy, 1.2). In addition, he informs the reader that she was important enough to cause a war between the Etruscans and the combined forces of the Trojans and Latins (Livy, 1.2).

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Approximate Word count = 2365
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)