Rape of the Sabine Women Medal. Attributed to Hans Jakob Bayr (1574-1628) Later casting, probably 18th/19th century. Bronze 171 mm, 700 g. The rape of the Sabine women is one of the oldest events in the history of Rome, shrouded in legend. According to tradition, Romulus, after founding Rome, turned to nearby populations to form alliances and obtain women with whom to procreate and populate the new city. When his neighbors refuse, he responds with deception: he organizes a great show to attract the inhabitants of the region and kidnap their women. Romulus took his place among the crowd and at the agreed signal, his men drew their swords and captured the daughters of the Ceninensi, Crustumini, Antemnati and the Sabine Curites, letting their fathers escape, who abandoned the city promising revenge. Some say that only thirty girls were kidnapped, Valerius Anziate 527, Juba II 683, while Plutarch estimates there were no less than 800. In favor of Romulus was the fact that no married woman was kidnapped, if we exclude only Hersilia, of whom they were ignorant of the condition. The abduction was explained by Plutarch not so much as a gesture of pride, but rather as an act of necessity, in order to mix the two peoples. The abduction took place on August 21st, the day on which the feasts of the gods were celebrated. Consualia. It was the story of this kidnapping which inspired the Roman festival of Consualia, and from which arose the Roman tradition of shouting "Talasius" during wedding celebrations. Here is the whole story represented in this medal. Exceptional quality.