Species Scaevola koenigii

For Gaius Mucius Scaevola, a 6th-century BCE Roman hero (known as ‘Scaevola’ meaning ‘left-handed’ from La. scaevus = left) who attempted to assassinate the Etruscan King, Lars Porsenna, who had Rome under siege, by sneaking out of Rome and infiltrating the enemy camp. By error, he killed the wrong man, was apprehended and dragged before Porsenna, where he admitted to his assassination attempt, saying 300 more Romans had sworn to kill the king. To demonstrate his resolution and indifference to physical suffering, Mucius thrust his right hand into a flame burning on an altar next to which he was standing. Impressed by such bravery, Porsenna decided to allow Mucius to return home to Rome. Subsequently, he sent envoys to Rome suing for peace.