Decius Mus

(Publius Decius Mus)

d. 340 BC

DECIUS MUS RECEIVING THE EVIL AUGURY

Decius Mus distinguished himself in the First Samnite War, when he rescued the main body of the Roman army from a trap. Three years later as consul with Manlius Torquatus, he led the Romans against the Latins. The night before a decisive battle, both consuls dreamed that the army that lost its leader would be victorious. They made a pact, that whichever side gave way first, the leader would sacrifice himself in battle. The wing under Decius gave way first, and Decius rode to his death in battle, with great ceremony.

Forty-five years later, in 295 B.C. his son, also called Decius Mus, followed his example, and rode to his death in the Battle of Sentium, also against the Samnites. His grandson, also called Decius Mus, sacrificed himself like-wise, in the Pyrrhic wars, in 279 B.C.

Key events during the life of Decius Mus:

Year	Event
343 BC	Rescues Roman army from a trap, while fighting the Samnites.
340 BC	Elected consul with Manlius Torquatus.
340 BC	Sacrifices self for Rome, at the battle of Mt. Vesuvius.

Other Resources

Story Links	Book Links
How Decius Mus Saved Rome  in	Thirty More Famous Stories Retold  by  James Baldwin
Certain Great Romans  in	Stories From Livy  by  Alfred J. Church
Formidable Neighbours  in	Stories from Ancient Rome  by  Alfred J. Church
Disaster at the Caudine Forks  in	The Story of the Romans  by  H. A. Guerber
Dream of the Two Consuls  in	The Story of Rome  by  Mary Macgregor
Battle of Sentium  in	The Story of Rome  by  Mary Macgregor
Anecdotes of the Latin and Samnite Wars  in	Historical Tales: Roman  by  Charles Morris

Image Links
Decius Mus Receiving the Evil Augury  in Greatest Nations - Rome

Contemporary	Short Biography
Manlius Torquatus	Consul who slew his son for a minor disobedience.
Valerius Corvus	Defeated a gigantic Gaul in one-on-one combat; lived to be 100.