Elisabetta Sirani, Timoclea Killing Her Rapist, 1659

Plutarch tells us that in 338 BC Thracian forces invaded Thebes. The captain of the Thracian forces raped Thebes resident Timoclea at her house. Afterwards he asked her if she knew where there was money to be found. She replied that she did, took the captain out to the well in her garden, and said there was money in the well. When he peered into it, she gave him a good shove. She chucked heavy stones in until the captain was dead. Sirani gives us the patriarchy turned on its head, while the woman stands firm and determined after being so grievously wronged.

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