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John Abernathy Heroes of Rome Different cultures and eras define heroism in varied ways, but the underlying traits of bravery, sacrifice, and honor often remain constants. Heroes are the people that we look up to and aspire to be because they are beacons of hope for those that they helped. Not just anyone can be a hero though you must be tried in some way by a foe and overcome them or maybe even just the attempt can make you a hero. The people who are seen as heroes in a society say a lot about the ideas and characteristics valued by that society. Plutarch and Livy use the story of Gaius Mucius in order to highlight the characteristics of a hero in the eyes of Roman society. Throughout the narrative, Gaius Mucius shows his selfless devotion to Rome is above all else. Livy writes, “…Rome had never, in any war, suffered the humiliation of a siege, and Mucius was so deeply conscious of the shame…” (Livy 121). During the Etruscan blockade, Gaius Mucius snuck behind enemy lines after getting the approval of the Senate. If he had not gone to get permission, it was highly likely that he could have been arrested as a deserter for trying to leave during the blockade. (Livy 121) From this, we can surmise that Mucius is a man who respects the laws and politics of Rome to the point that he, a random citizen, would go before the Senate to receive permission to leave during a difficult time. He is compelled by the shame of his city and the shame he also feels to do something in order to help Rome. After he is seized by the guards for stabbing the secretary after attempting to murder the Etruscan king he proclaims, “I am Roman” and continues talking about his plan to kill the king. (Livy 122) He immediately tells them who he is and appears proud to be a Roman sent there to kill their king because in Roman society being a proud Roman is an aspect of what makes a Roman hero. The story portrayed Gaius Mucius as courageous because that is an important element in the makings of a hero in Roman society. King Porsenna ordered a burning brazier in order to

John Abernathy perform a sacrifice. Mucius, knowing he would be burned alive, immediately put his hand in the fire and looked at the king. (Plutarch 122-123) It takes a lot of courage to look at a man who is going to kill you and decide to intimidate them with the mechanism he wants to kill you with by burning your hand. After being captured Gaius Mucius said, “Nor am I alone in my resolve against your life; behind me is a long line of men eager for the same honor,” (Livy 122). He continues on about how there is an army ready to kill King Porsenna if he doesn’t kill him. This lie and the intimidation from the hand-burning compel the king to let Mucius go free and end the Blockade. (Plutarch 123) The content of Mucius’ story really invokes a feeling of the average guy standing up to the evil tyrant, and saving his people because Romans admired bravery and extreme cases were deemed heroic. His actions were so heroic that the senate of Rome granted him land that would be called Mucian Meadows. (Livy 123) When you are selfless for the sake of Rome she may pay you back. In conclusion, the story of Gaius Mucius illuminates the cherished qualities that define a hero in Roman society, shedding light on the enduring values of bravery, selflessness, and devotion to Rome. Romans valued bravery and considered it greatly worth emulating because the Romans thought that any Roman could be a hero. They believed that Rome was great and that to be Roman was to be great and that’s why they valued serving Rome as well as those who served Rome. In an era where personal glory often takes precedence, the story of Gaius Mucius serves as a timeless reminder of the ideals of collective pride, bravery, and the greater good. How might our societies transform if we, too, were to prioritize the greater good over individual prizes?

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