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Tarpeian

Tarpeian

1 9.9
Relating to the cliff in ancient Rome where people were executed by being thrown off
  • adjective
  • /tɑrˈpiən/
: tarpeiano
  • The Tarpeian Rock was infamous for its brutal executions.

Examples

  • Historians often mention the Tarpeian Rock when discussing ancient Roman justice.

  • Many criminals faced a Tarpeian fate in ancient Rome.

  • The senator faced a Tarpeian punishment for his betrayal of the city.

  • Historians often mention the Tarpeian Rock when discussing ancient Roman justice.

  • The story described a Tarpeian fate awaiting those who committed treason.

  • The story described a Tarpeian fate awaiting those who committed treason.

  • The senator faced a Tarpeian punishment for his betrayal of the city.

Surface Forms

Tarpeian positive

Morphology

Tarpeian = Tarpeia (opaque) = Tarpeia + ian

Formally derived from the proper name 'Tarpeia' with the adjectival suffix '-ian', but the meaning ('relating to the Tarpeian Rock' and its execution connotations) depends on specific historical knowledge not recoverable from the base alone.

Etymology

Tarpeian comes from the famous Tarpeian Rock in ancient Rome, a high 'cliff' where traitors and criminals were thrown as a form of execution. So Tarpeian means relating to that rock or to that kind of punishment.