Hortensia
In favor of Roman expansion
Hortensia
Hortensia was born into a wealthy family. She had an extensive education studying Greek, Latin, and literature. When she got older she become interested in public speaking following her father Quintus Horalus he was a famous public speaker in
Rome. In her 20's, civil war broke out. Julius Caesar had died and three men, Octavius, Lepidus, and Mark Antony wanted his power. This group of men was called the Triumvirs. They had decided to tax the 1,400 wealthiest women in Rome to help pay for the war. The tax was the same amount as a full year income, plus a "loan" to the government. Hortensia thought the tax was highly unfair. She lead a protest against the government's actions. she had marched through the streets of Rome to the Forum. forcing her way into the building she made a brilliant speech to the triumvirs, stating her reasoning's. After she made her point the triumvirs order guards to remove her and her supporters from the building. The next day they had announced the tax would only fall on the 400 wealthiest women- both men and women would be taxed.
Rome. In her 20's, civil war broke out. Julius Caesar had died and three men, Octavius, Lepidus, and Mark Antony wanted his power. This group of men was called the Triumvirs. They had decided to tax the 1,400 wealthiest women in Rome to help pay for the war. The tax was the same amount as a full year income, plus a "loan" to the government. Hortensia thought the tax was highly unfair. She lead a protest against the government's actions. she had marched through the streets of Rome to the Forum. forcing her way into the building she made a brilliant speech to the triumvirs, stating her reasoning's. After she made her point the triumvirs order guards to remove her and her supporters from the building. The next day they had announced the tax would only fall on the 400 wealthiest women- both men and women would be taxed.
Hortensia (first woman on the left)
Hortensia giving her speech to the triumvirs
the Roman forum
where she gave her speech