Marcus Curtius

d. 362 BC

CURTIUS LEAPING INTO THE CHASM

Marcus Curtius was a youth who had won great renown in war. When a deep crevice opened up in the Roman Forum, the seers declared that the pit would stay open until Rome threw into it its most valued possessions. Curtius put on full armor, and declaring that Rome had nothing of more value than its brave soldiers, mounted a horse and charged into the pit, which closed up soon after.

Key events during the life of curtius:

Year	Event
362 BC	Threw self into large chasm that had opened up the Roman market-place.

Other Resources

Story Links	Book Links
Certain Great Romans  in	Stories From Livy  by  Alfred J. Church
Two Heroes of Rome  in	The Story of the Romans  by  H. A. Guerber
Curtian Lake  in	The Story of Rome  by  Mary Macgregor
Curtian Gulf  in	Historical Tales: Roman  by  Charles Morris

Image Links
Curtius leaping into the Chasm  in Stories From Livy	Curtius leaping into the chasm  in The Story of the Romans

Contemporary	Short Biography
Valerius Corvus	Defeated a gigantic Gaul in one-on-one combat; lived to be 100.