The Hero Whose Act of Defiance Against the Nazis Had Horrendous Reprisals

Rosario Bentivegna's fight against fascism led to the Ardeatine Caves Massacre

Opening to the caves — Public Domain 

On an afternoon on 23rd March 1944, Rosario Bentivegna was walking through the streets of central Rome. He was wearing the blue outfit of a street sweep, pushing a garbage cart. As he walked past, no one noticed him; he was that inconspicuous.

When he reached Via Rasella, a one-way cobblestone street close to the Span…