The New International Encyclopædia/Appius Claudius Crassus

​APPIUS CLAU′DIUS CRAS′SUS. A Roman decemvir (B.C. 451–449) While the other decemviri were engaged in repelling an incursion made by the Sabines, Appius Claudius and his ​colleague Oppius remained in Rome, with two legions to maintain their authority. Meanwhile, Appius Claudius had been smitten by the beauty of Virginia, daughter of a respected plebeian named Lucius Virginius, who was abroad with the army. By force and stratagem, representing that she was the born slave of Marcus Claudius, one of his clients, Appius Claudius gained possession of the girl. His design was penetrated by Icilius, who was betrothed to Virginia, and who, aided by Numitorius, her uncle, threatened to raise an insurrection against the decemviri. Virginius, hurriedly recalled from the army by his friends, appeared and claimed his daughter; but, after another mock-trial, she was again adjudged to be the property of Marcus Claudius. To save his daughter from dishonor, the unhappy father seized a knife and slew her. The popular indignation excited by the case was headed by the senators Valerius and Horatius, who hated the decemvirate. The army returned to Rome with Virginius, who had carried the news to them, and the decemviri were deposed. Appius Claudius died in prison by his own hand (as Livy states), or was strangled by order of the tribimes. His colleague, Oppius, committed suicide, and Marcus Claudius was banished.

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