Scaevola

Scaevola "Cleft-handed"), the surname given to Mucius Coelius Codrus, a Roman warrior who, when Porsena invaded Rome in 507 B.C., entered the Tuscan camp in order to kill the king. He was seized and dragged before his intended victim, whereupon he thrust his right hand, which had failed of its aim, into the altar fire, and held it there till it was consumed, telling the invader that three hundred comrades as resolute as himself had sworn to take his life. Porsena released him and made peace with Rome.