Gianfranco is my greatuncle, child of my greatgrandmother Clara Mattei, whose name I carry. Following two days of constant brutalization, Gianfranco hanged himself with his belt rather than betray his comrades in the resistance. His last words, written on the back of a check and surreptitiously passed to his cellmate, were for his parents: “Siate forti, sapendo che lo sono stato anche io” (Be strong, knowing that I also was).

Clara E. Mattei, The Capital Order, loc. 1639