A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Arria
ARRIA,
Wife of Caecinna Pætus, a consul under Claudius, emperor of Rome in 41 is immortalized for her heroism and conjugal affection. Her son and husband were both dangerously ill at the same time; the former died; and she, thinking that in his weak state, Pætus could not survive a knowledge of the fatal event, fulfilled every mournful duty to her child in secret; but when she entered the chamber of her husband, concealed so effectually her anguish, that till his recovery Pætus had no suspicion of his loss.
Soon after, Pætus joined with Scribonius in exciting a revolt against Claudius in Illyria. They were unsuccessful, and Pætus was carried a prisoner to Rome, by sea. Arria, not being allowed to accompany him, hired a small bark, and followed him. On her arrival at Rome, she was met by the widow of Scribonius who wished to speak to her.
"I speak to thee!" replied Arria indignantly; "to thee, who hast been witness of thy husband's death, and yet survivest!"
She had herself determined that, if all her endeavours to save Pætus failed, she would die with him. Thraseus, her son-in-law, in vain combated her resolution. "Were I," said he, "in the situation of Pætus, would you have your daughter die with me?"
"Certainly," answered she, "had she lived with you as long and as happily as I with Pætus."
Her husband was at length condemned to die, whether by his own hands or not is uncertain; if it were not so, he wished to avoid the punishment allotted to him, by a voluntary death; but at the moment wanted courage. Seeing his hesitation, 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, Pætus."