The historic tale of Lucretia has inspired works by artists throughout the ages. According to historians, Lucretia was raped by Tarquinius Sextus, son of the Etruscan King of Rome. Her consequent suicide spurred the revolution that toppled the monarchy and brought about the Roman Republic. In Ronald Duncan's libretto, the action is introduced and commented upon throughout by two contemporary observers, a Male and Female Chorus, lending the story an urgent, contemporary air.