The Tomb of Tarpeia

Ancient sources suggest that Tarpeia, a historical-mythological figure whose date varied between the Romulean period and the Gallic Wars, had a tomb on the Capitoline Hill; however, these sources have not been seen as credible by modern scholarship. This article contextualizes Dionysius of Halicarnassus’ discussion of Tarpeia’s tomb in both the Roman Antiquities and modern studies of Roman religion, and suggests the manner in which honors would have been paid to her.