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The story of the Horatii is recounted by Livy (1:23-24). A quarrel between the peoples of Rome and Alba threatened to lead to war, It was agreed to settle the issue by combat between three representatives from each side, from the Roman family of the Horatii and from the opposing Curatii. At the end, only one man, Horatius was left alive and Rome was declared the victor. On discovering afterwards that his sister had been betrothed to one of the Curatii, he slew her. He was tried, found guilty but reprieved after an appeal by his father.
This picture, illustrating the death of an ancient heroine, is likely to have been painted as a pendant to a picture of the same dimensions, showing The Death of Virginia, in Manchester City Art Gallery.
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