Gaius Mucius Scaevola at The Louvre, Paris

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Gaius Mucius Scaevola, a young Roman hero, left an indelible mark on history with his unwavering bravery. In 508 BC, during Rome's war with Clusium, Lars Porsena, the Clusian king, laid siege to the city. Mucius, sanctioned by the Roman Senate, snuck into the Etruscan camp intent on assassinating Porsena. However, he misjudged his target and mistakenly killed the king's scribe instead. After being apprehended, Mucius boldly declared to Porsena: "I am Gaius Mucius, a Roman citizen, here to strike down my enemy and ready to face death as willingly as I would take a life. We Romans are known for our courage in adversity." He also claimed that he was one of three hundred young Romans who volunteered for the perilous task of killing Porsena, risking their own lives. Mucius seized the opportunity to demonstrate his bravery by thrusting his right hand into a fire lit for sacrifice and holding it there, unflinching. This extraordinary display earned him the cognomen Scaevola, meaning "left-handed," which would be passed down to his descendants. Porsena was astonished by Mucius's courage and released him from the Etruscan camp, saying, "Go back, for you harm yourself more than me." Concurrently, the king sent ambassadors to Rome to propose a peace treaty. Mucius was granted fertile land on the Tiber River's right bank, which would later become known as Mucia Prata, or the Mucian Meadows. The historicity of Mucius's story remains uncertain, with some questioning whether it is rooted in fact or myth.