TRIUMPHAL MARCH FROM TARPEJA
This story did not fail to interest the generation of writers of the first years of the nineteenth century. And as a result, on the 26th March 1813 in Vienna, the tragedy Tarpeja, by Christoph Kuffner, was presented. A well-known and prolific poet of his time, admirer of Greek and Latin culture, the Austrian writer maintained an amicable rapport with Beethoven for many years. The soirée was to be organized at the office of Joseph Lange, Mozart's brother-in-law. However, the tragedy, in four acts, received only one performance then disappeared from the repertory.
The Rock of Tarpeja is a steep cliff of the southern summit of the Capitoline Hill. It is associated with the vestal Tarpeja, daughter of the governor of the citadel on the Capitoline Hill, Spurio Tarpeio. The legend is transmitted to us from different sources, but it is primarily Titus Livius who speaks about it explicitly in his writings.
Tarpeja, young vestal, is corrupted by Titus Tatius, King of the Sabines, who's principal aim is to lead his soldiers through a secret passage in order to attack Rome. In exchange, the girl would receive that which the soldiers carry on their left arms, their gold bracelets and rings... but, Tarpeja is crushed by the heavy shield of the Sabines, carried as well on their left arms.