Cloelia Crossing the Tiber on Horseback

Cloelia’s adventure thrilled readers in antiquity and again in the Renaissance. She was among a group of youths taken hostage by the Etruscan king Lars Porsena in exchange for lifting a siege on the city of Rome. In the story she mounts a horse to lead several girls in a dangerous escape from their Etruscan jailors. They crossed the Tiber River amid a hail of spears. The escape proved disturbing for both sides: the Romans were concerned for their honor; the Etruscans were enraged. To settle the matter, Cloelia was returned to the enemy. When his anger subsided, Porsena came to extol Cloelia’s bravery and the rectitude of the Romans for having returned her. He ordered her release and let her choose some hostages to take home. In a view resembling a classical relief sculpture, we see Cloelia accompanying a frightened hostage on horseback across the swirling Tiber. She looks back to the other hostages, implying that she has not forgotten them. On the far bank, their families anxiously await their return.