Amalafrida, Amalafreda or even Amalefrede, born around 455-460 in Pannonia within
the Ostrogothic kingdom, and who died around 523-525 in Carthage in the Vandal kingdom, was a 
member of the Ostrogothic and then Vandal nobility of the 5th and 6th centuries, from the Amali 
dynasty, known for having been the Queen of the Vandals and Alans of Africa. She was the sister of 
Theodoric the Great, king of the Ostrogoths of Italy, and the wife of Thrasamund, king of the Vandals 
from 496 to 523.
       The Tuscans are the inhabitants of Tuscany.
       Martana Island is an island in Italy's Lake Bolsena.
       Lake Bolsena is a lake in central Italy, of volcanic origin, which formed 
around 300,000 years ago, following the collapse of some of the Vulsini Mountains' craters. It is believed to be the largest volcanic lake in Europe.
       Justinian I, or Justinian the Great, born around 482 in Tauresium, near Justiniana 
Prima in Illyria, and died on November 15, 565 in Constantinople, was a Roman Emperor 
of the East who ruled from 527 until his death. During the war against the Vandals, he obtained help from 
Amalasuntha, and good diplomatic relations formed between the kingdom and 
the Empire. Having learned of Amalasuntha's murder, Justinian went to war 
against Theodatus, executed him and took over Italy.
       Belisarius, born around 500 in Macedonia, on the border of Illyria and Thrace, and 
died in 565 in Constantinople, was a Roman general of the East. He was the general leading 
the army against the Vandals.


                                Eleventh Speech – Lucretia to Collatin
                                            Lucretia, wife of Collatin


                                                  Context
       This speech needs no argument, for the story of the rape of Lucretia by the young 
Sextus Tarquinius is well known to many. She did not hide her crime or her misfortune, she revealed 
both to Collatin, her husband, but also to her father and trustworthy men 
like Brutus, to lead them to vengeance. She told them about the outrage she endured, with all 
the circumstances that made it even more terrible. Although this story goes back to 
centuries and is almost as old as Rome, it has still not been decided whether she did right 
in killing herself after her misfortune. Some wonder if she would not have done better to let 
Sextus Tarquinius kill her, and to die innocent. Listen to her reasons, for her case is 
laid before the eyes of everyone and each one is her judge. Since she's speaking, don't condemn her without 
hearing her out.


                                                      77