Roman Ladies on Trial: The Case of Maesia of Sentinum

Abstract

M AESIA OF THE UMBRIAN city of Sentinum makes her sole appearance in history as the heroine of a brief anecdote relayed by Valerius Maximus. Brought to trial before the praetor L. Titius, she presumes to defend herself and her courage and rhetorical virtuosity win her an almost unanimous vote for acquittal. However, her very triumph in this male forum also earns her the nickname of Androgyne which satirizes her usurpation of the male role in court. The large audience drawn to the occasion is further noted as a measure of its unusual nature: