Famous Men of Rome · Ch. VII · Unit 2: The early Republic
9. Mucius the Left-Handed
Goal: Your child can tell how Mucius frightened King Porsena into making peace, and how he got the name Scaevola.
You'll need
- The book, open to this chapter
- Paper and colored pencils
What's in the book
Chapter VII: Porsena tries to starve Rome. Caius Mucius slips into the Etruscan camp to kill the king but strikes the secretary by mistake. To show he is not afraid, he holds his right hand in the fire. Porsena frees him, hears that three hundred young Romans have sworn the same oath, and makes peace.
The lesson, step by step
Set the scene
SayHoratius saved the bridge, but Porsena's army is still camped across the river. Now he tries to starve the city.
Read the chapter
Read Chapter VII aloud. It begins:
But Porsena still remained with his army on the other side of the river.
Tell it back
Prompts:
- Why did Mucius kill the wrong man?
- What did he do when Porsena threatened him with fire?
- What secret did he tell the king afterward?
Talk it over
Read what Mucius said:
Behold how little we Romans care for pain when it is to defend our country.
Ask: Was it his courage or his secret that made Porsena want peace? Maybe both?
Remember it
SayScaevola is the Latin word the book gives for left-handed. Mucius burned his right hand, so he had to use his left.
Safety note: this is a story to admire, not to copy. No one should ever put a hand near a fire.
Extra (optional)
Try writing your name with your left hand (or your right hand, if you are left-handed). Talk about how hard it would be to learn everything over again.
Answers to the book's problems
Probably both: Mucius showed that Romans would bear any pain, and the news of three hundred more young men made Porsena fear for his life.
Worked out for this site from the scan. If a number in your copy differs, trust the book.