person
Gaius Mucius Scaevola
Mucius
also: Scaevola
The Roman hero who, having failed to kill the Etruscan king Porsenna, thrust his own right hand into the fire to show his contempt for pain — earning the name Scaevola, 'Left-handed'; Seneca's type of fortitude.
Reading notes
- On Benefits §4.27.2 Mucius
Gaius Mucius Scaevola, who burned off his own right hand before the Etruscan king Porsenna to prove his fearlessness — the type of loyalty, against the charge of treachery.
- On Benefits §7.15.2 Mucius
Gaius Mucius Scaevola, who burned off his hand before Porsenna; the gesture 'was as good as Porsenna slain.'
- On Providence §3.4 Mucius
Gaius Mucius Scaevola, the legendary Roman who, having failed to kill the Etruscan king Porsenna, thrust his own right hand into the fire to show his indifference to pain — earning the name Scaevola, "Left-handed."
- Moral Letters to Lucilius §3.24.5 Mucius
Gaius Mucius Scaevola, the legendary Roman who slipped into the Etruscan camp to kill King Porsenna, struck down the wrong man, and, to prove Roman resolve, thrust his right hand into an altar-fire and let it burn, winning the surname Scaevola ('Left-handed').
- Moral Letters to Lucilius §7.66.51 Mucius
Gaius Mucius Scaevola, the legendary Roman hero who, having failed to assassinate the Etruscan king Porsenna besieging Rome (c. 508 BC), thrust his own right hand into a fire to show his indifference to pain; thereafter called Scaevola, 'Left-handed.' One of Seneca's favorite exemplars of virtue tried by ordeal.