Rome and women
The Fate of Rome personifies the famous city in a way that not only gives it human qualities it gives it feminine and motherly characteristics as well. When Rome "sprung from humble beginnings, has stretched to either pole..." it is much like giving birth to a child. When a child is born obviously the child comes out of the women's vagina but during childbirth many women experience a tearing (stretching) of the perineum. It is interesting Rome is spoken of having many battles and would protect the human race because of "the common name" and would provide citizenship to those Rome conquered. It is interesting though, Rome is given feminine and motherly characteristics when women during this time could not do anything and had no real rights, women were not allowed to fight in ancient Rome but the city can fight.