I love Roman history. The epic battles, impressive feats of engineering, and even the language are fascinating to me. So much of what surrounds us in architecture, philosophy, literature, and pop culture is influenced by Ancient Rome; it really has shaped the modern world. One aspect of Roman culture that I especially admire is their concept of honor and virtue. The acts of courage, bravery, and daring they performed, even at the expense of life and limb, inspire me.

One of my favorite figures in Roman history is Gaius Mucius Cordus. According to legend, he lived at the end of the Roman Kingdom and the beginning of the Roman Republic, during a time when a neighboring kingdom, Clusium, was waging war with Rome. Cordus volunteered to assassinate the Clusian king, Lars Porsena, but mistakenly killed an attendant instead, and was captured. When threatened with being burned alive, Gaius Mucius thrust his right hand into the fire and said defiantly,

“See how cheaply men hold their bodies when they set their sights on glory”

Roman Honor: The Fire in the Bones by Carlin A. Barton

Lars Porsena, impressed or frightened at this display of courage and determination, ordered Gaius Mucius to be released and entered into negotiations with Rome. Gaius Mucius, upon returning to the city, was hailed as a hero and given the new cognomen Scaevola, meaning “left-handed”.

I don’t recommend burning your hand (I do recommend being left-handed), but I can’t help admiring Scaevola’s actions; he faced death and pain unflinchingly, placing his family, friends, and countrymen above himself, his own comforts. Working toward something bigger than ourselves allows us to do great things, making sacrifices we might not otherwise make and performing acts we might not otherwise have the courage to perform. We just have to decide what kind of glory we set our sights on, and what we’re willing to do to get it.

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