As the Sabines, led by Tatius, drew near to attack the fortress, Tarpeia looked out of a spy-hole and saw that the enemy was adorned with beautiful golden bracelets. The longer she looked, the greater became her desire to possess these dazzling ornaments. What would she not do to wear such splendid jewels? She would—yes, she would even betray the fortress into the hands of the Sabines, if only she might hear the tinkle of the golden bracelets on her arms.
So, leaving the spy-hole, Tarpeia slipped secretly out of the fortress and spoke to the Sabines, offering to show them how to take the citadel if they would give her in reward 'what they wore on their left arms.'
The Sabines agreed to do as Tarpeia wished, but in their hearts they despised the maiden for her treachery.
But she, heedless of all save the ornaments that would soon be hers, hastened back to the fortress.
Then, when it grew dark, she stealthily opened the gate, outside of which stood the waiting foe.
As the Sabines marched into the fortress, Tarpeia cried to them to remember their promise and give her her reward.
Then Tatius bade his men not to refuse 'the least part of what they wore on their left arms,' and himself taking off his bracelet, threw it to her, together with his shield, which he also bore on his left arm.
His men did as their king had done, so that Tarpeia soon fell to the ground and was killed by the weight of the shields that covered her.
The traitress was buried on the hill which she had betrayed. From that day traitors were punished by being thrown over the steepest rock on the Capitoline hill, which was named after the maiden who betrayed her city, 'The Tarpeian Rock.'
