A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

Smith, William

A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890

1. Daughter of L. Helvius, a Roman eques, who, on her return from Rome to Apulia, B. C. 114, was struck from her horse by lightning, and killed, on the Stellatine plain. The circumstances of her death were sufficiently remarkable to attract the notice of the Haruspices, who predicted from them impending disgrace to the vestal priesthood and to the equestrian order. (Plut. Quaest. Rom. 83; Oros. 5.15; Obseq. de Prod. 97.) For the speedy accomplishment of the prediction see Dio Cass. Fr. 91, 92; Liv. Epit. lxiii.