Romæ antiquæ descriptio a view of the religion, laws, customs, manners, and dispositions of the ancient Romans, and others : comprehended in their most illustrious acts and sayings agreeable to history / written in Latine by ... Quintus Valerius Maximus ; and now carefully rendred into English ; together with the life of the author.

CHAP. VII. Of the truth of Wives to their Husbands.

• 1. Aemilia, the Wife of the Elder Scipio.
• 2. Thuria, the Wife of Q. Lucretius Vespillo.
• 3. Sulpitia, the Wife of Lentulus.

1. THat we may not omit the Truth of Women in Matrimony, Aemilia the Wife of the Elder Africanus, the Mother of Cornelia, Mother of the Gracchi, was so dutiful and patient, that though she knew her Husband had a kindness for one of her Maids, she took no notice of it; because she would not blemish the Conquerour of Africa with the guilt of Un∣chasti••y. And so far she was from revenge, that after her Husbands death, she set her Maid free, and gave her in marriage to a Freed man of his.

2. When Q. Lucretius was banished by the Triumvirs,

Thuria his Wife k••pt him out of harms way, between the head of the Bed and the cieling of the Chamber, not without great danger to her self. And so true she was to him, that while others th••t were banish'd, as he was, wander'd in pinching extremity, in remote Countries among Enemies, he all the while lay safe in the bosome of his Wife.

3. Sulpitia being kept up very strictly by her Mo∣ther Iulia, for fear she should follow her Husband Lentulus Crustellio, banish'd by the Triumvirs into Si∣cily; nevertheless made her escape in a disguise, and with only two Maid-servants and two Men-servants got safe to him. Banishing her se••f, that sh•• might not fail in her duty toward her Husband.