Gaius Mucius Scaevola

Gaius Mucius Cordus, better known with his later cognomen Scaevola (/ˈsiːvələ, ˈsɛv-/ SE(E)V-ə-lə, Latin: [ˈskae̯wɔla]), was an ancient Roman youth, possibly mythical, famous for his bravery.

Gaius Mucius Cordus, with the approval of the Roman Senate, sneaked into the Etruscan camp with the intent of assassinating Porsena.

He also declared that he was the first of three hundred Roman youths to volunteer for the task of assassinating Porsena at the risk of losing their own lives.

Mucius thrust his right hand into a fire which was lit for sacrifice and held it there without giving any indication of pain, thereby earning for himself and his descendants the cognomen Scaevola, meaning "left-handed".

Porsena was shocked at the youth's bravery, and dismissed him from the Etruscan camp, free to return to Rome, saying "Go back, since you do more harm to yourself than me".