C. Mucius’ Missing Hand: The Manipulation of a Foundational Roman Legend in Dionysius of Halicarnassus
Abstract
The legendary tale of C. Mucius’ confrontation with the Etruscan king Lars Porsenna is among the most memorable stories that the Romans told about their early history and became an important staple of the tradition of exemplary tales. The history and development of the Mucius legend have long been a subject of scholarly interest. The present article focuses on the account found in Dionysius of Halicarnassus, where the historian omits the central detail of Mucius plunging his hand into the fire. Dionysius’ unusual treatment of this story elucidates his historiographical methods, priorities and relationship to the received tradition.
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