ABSTRACT
The essay endeavors to demonstrate the close connections between the biblical account of the kidnapped maidens in Judg 21:15–24 and the Roman traditions about the “Rape of the Sabine Women” as recalled by Livy and Plutarch. Although the classical authors are very late, it may be assumed that they recall earlier traditions, and these traditions may have been available to the biblical author. The similarities between these three accounts against other narratives of kidnapped maidens indicate to this author that the biblical author focused upon this specific narrative in crafting the account in Judges 21. If so, this implies a Hellenistic origin for this biblical narrative after 300 bce.
