When Rome was besieged by the Etruscans, Gaius Mucius Cordo volunteered to assassinate the Etruscan king Porsena. Mucius snuck into the Etruscan camp in disguise and managed to enter the king’s tent. Unfortunately, he mistook the king’s scribe for the king and killed the wrong man. He was immediately captured. When he was asked why he did it, he told the king that he was a brave Roman who was determined to kill his enemy and there were plenty more like him. To emphasize his threat, he plunged his right hand into a fire pot that was providing light. He did not flinch as his hand burned up and the sick smell filled the room. The grossed-out king had the guards pull the hand out. Mucius looked the king in the eye and said that all the other assassins were like him. The king was so impressed, he set Mucius free and lifted the siege. Mucius returned to Rome a hero. From that day on he was called “Scaevola” which means “left-handed”.
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