We're they raping in order to replenish their armies? The claim is rather far fetched.

The word "rape" in this context is taken to mean abduction. This is then followed by the integration of the abductees into the abductor's society.

From the article: "At the festival, Romulus gave a signal, at which the Romans grabbed the Sabine women and fought off the Sabine men. The indignant abductees were soon implored by Romulus to accept Roman husbands".

That the second phase may have employed carrots as well as sticks does not detract from the fact that the Romans have thereby managed to expand their reproductive capacities while simultaneously contracting that of the rival Sabines.

Every society that denies women independence from men. I agree this is a sliding scale, but near the extreme end is this staple: Girls belong to the parents until such time as they are married off to a husband, who is then in effect their new owner. I take the liberty to call this slavery.

I was talking about forcing women into the army.

Oh my, that's what you thought I meant with "the enslavement of women as a means of replenishment for your armies"?

I fear that was a misunderstanding, good sir. I didn't mean that women were ever press ganged into the army, but into producing the next generation of recruits. Frankly, I actually lold when I got that just now! =)