A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country/Arria
ARRIA, Wife of Cæcina Pœtus, a Consul under the emperor Claudius, in the first Century.
In the reigns of the unworthy successors of Caesar, the most unbridled licentiousness prevailed at Rome; and with its liberties, the last remains of moral restraint seemed to have expired. The sect of the Stoics alone, to which all that was noble of both sexes then belonged, by a stern and unbending austerity, by rigorous self-denial and fortitude, acted as a powerful counterpoise to the general depravity. Arria was of this sect, and, if the abandonment of every personal consideration, and the power of subjecting lively and tender feelings be the highest proof of magnanimity, she is well entitled to that immortality her actions have secured.
Her son and husband were both sick of a dangerous illness at the same time: the former died; and she was convinced, that, in his present weak state Pœtus could not survive a knowledge of the fatal event. She therefore fulfilled every mournful duty to the remains of her child, whom she bitterly bewailed in secret; but, when she entered the chamber of his father, concealed the anguish of her soul, under the assumed smiles of hope and confidence; not even his solicitude and frequent inquiries disarmed her resolution, which his recovery, in this instance, rewarded; but which was soon to be put to still greater trials.
Scribonius had excited a revolt in Illyria, the object of which was, to dethrone the imbecile Claudius; but was vanquished, and put to death. Pœtus, one of his partisans, was also taken prisoner, and carried to Rome by sea. Arria entreated to be permitted to accompany him, alledging, that to a man of his rank, some attendants of course must be allowed; that these should be dispensed with, and she would fulfil all their duties, if permitted to come on board! On the refusal of the soldiers, she hired a small bark, and followed him. On her arrival at Rome, she was met in the palace by the widow of Scribonius, who wished to speak to her. "I speak to thee!" returned Arria indignantly, "to thee who hast been witness of thy husband's death, and yet survivest!" For she had herself determined, that, if all her endeavours to save Pœtus, failed, she would die with him. Her son-in-law Thraseus, used every argument to persuade her to give up this design. "Were I," said he, "in his situation, would you have your daughter die with me?" "Certainly," answered she, "had she lived with you as long and as happily as I with Pœtus." He was at length condemned to die; whether by his own hands, at that time no uncommon sentence, is uncertain; if it were not so, he wished to avoid the punishment allotted him by a voluntary death; but at the moment wanted courage. Seeing him staggered and hesitating, Arria seized the dagger, plunged it first into her own breast, and then presenting it to her husband, said, with a smile, "It is not painful, Pœtus!"
The wife of Thraseus, and her daughter, who married Helvidius Priscus, inherited the fate and sentiments of Arria.