Biasmos in Dionysius of Halicarnassus

The rape of Ilia in the Antiquitates Romanae

Abstract

This article examines the use of the word biasmos in Dionysius of Halicarnassus’ Antiquitates Romanae. This word, which has been seen as the closest equivalent to modern conceptions of rape, is quite rare in Greek literature; however, it is attested in several times in Dionysius’ history, always in relation to the rape of Ilia/Rhea Silvia. Analyzing the attestations of this lexeme in Dionysius and beyond, this paper asks why the Greek historian opted for this rare word, which he eschews when narrating other acts of sexual violence, in this particular case. Analyzing the contexts in which the word appears as well as the connotations with which the cognate bia in the Antiquitates Romanae, the paper argues that the lexical choice helps highlight important themes for this section of the Antiquitates Romanae, including Ilia’s status as a victim of a violent act and the characterization of this rape as the inappropriate use of force.